§ Mr. Beithasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what consideration he is giving to the future of nautical education; and whether he will take steps to ensure that facilities for nautical education are maintained in the north-east of England.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe national advisory body for local authority higher education is currently reviewing the provision of nautical education and training in England in the light of the decline in the size of the United Kingdom merchant fleet and the consequent fall in the shipping industry's requirements for trained personnel. I await the NAB's advice and cannot predict the outcome although I know that the desirable regional spread of provision is amongst its considerations.