§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether the membership of the working party on the review of nautical education in Scotland will be revealed; and whether any of them have specialist nautical experience drawn from industry.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe working party consisted of officials from COSLA and from my Department, including members of Her Majesty's inspectorate, whose task it is to advise on provision in this field. The working party's proposal that nautical education in Scotland should be rationalised was generally welcomed by the companies consulted.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland why the report of the working party on the review of nautical education contains no reference to the cost implications of the alternative future options; whether the working party has properly fulfilled the terms of its remit; and what were the terms of remit.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe working party has in my view discharged its remit, agreed between the Scottish Education Department and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, to review the provision of nautical education in Scotland. The working party was not asked to consider the cost implications of the options for rationalisation, but my right hon. Friend and I will take these into account in making our decision.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will extend the limited historical review of nautical education to include modern developments in the offshore industries, before reaching conclusions about the future provision for maritime education in Scotland.
§ Mr. Allan StewartThe working party which has been considering the provision of nautical education in Scotland 163W took account not only of the recent substantial decline in demand for nautical education, but also of the capacity of Scottish centres to meet the needs of the future. My right hon. Friend and I will have in mind such needs, together with likely employer demand for maritime education in Scotland, in reaching decisions.
§ Lord James Douglas-Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has as to the preferred alternative choices of students at Leith nautical college if the college is closed; and what proportion have indicated that they would not choose Glasgow college of nautical studies but go elsewhere in Britain.
§ Mr. Allan StewartMy right hon. Friend and I have no proposal before us for the closure of Leith Nautical College. A working party which has reviewed nautical education in Scotland has recommended that certain courses be concentrated at Glasgow college of nautical studies. The position of existing students at LNC would of course be taken into account in the timing of any changes.