§ 37. Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement concerning the reduction of staff and its consequent effects on the activities of the north-east London polytechnic.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Government's plans for advanced further education—AFE—have since 1980–81 implied progressive reductions in expenditure and staffing across the sector, and most notably in its most generously funded institution, the north-east London polytechnic. It is for the polytechnic and the joint education committee which maintains it to decide how to make the necessary economies. But the national advisory body's plan for the polytechnic for 1984–85, as endorsed by my right hon. Friend, and the associated AFE pool allocation as determined by him, provide for an increase of nearly 10 per cent. in the polytechnic's student numbers between 1982–83 and 1984–85, including particularly significant increases in science, computing and other vocational disciplines.
§ 60. Mr. Gouldasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will pay an official visit to the north-east London polytechnic.
§ Mr. BrookeNeither my right hon. Friend nor I have plans for doing so.