HC Deb 12 January 1987 vol 108 cc23-5W
Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many (a) business and industrialists (b) local authorities (c) educational institutions and charities and (d) other potential sponsors have been contacted by his office with proposals for the establishment of city technology colleges.

Official Report listing those educational establishments approved by his Department in the United Kingdom offering courses relevant to the training of professional seafarers, the type of course available at each, the number of students undertaking such courses at the most recent available date and in 1980 and the proportion of such students which he estimates to be of British nationality.

Mr. Walden

Information in the form requested is not readily available.

Advanced courses in public sector further and higher education in England are required to be approved individually by the Secretary of State. There is no corresponding power or requirement for the approval of institutions or for non-advanced courses.

The following table lists enrolments on courses in nautical science and marine engineering in public sector further and higher education establishments covered by the Department's annual further education statistical record. Figures on nationality are not available and the table therefore shows the percentage of students whose domicile was in the United Kingdom. Enrolments on non-advanced Department of Transport certificate courses in nautical science increased mainly due to extra take-up on courses in basic sea survival and first aid.

Mrs. Rumbold

My Department initially contacted some 1,800 companies, all English local education authorities, some 200 charitable organisations and a wide variety of other organisations with an interest in education. Since the announcement of the proposal in October, the Department has had a considerable number of contacts with many organisations and interested individuals, and these discussions are continuing.

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list the educational institutions, churches, trade unions and other non-commercial organisations that his Department contacted with details of the establishment of city technology colleges.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend initially informed local education authorities in England, leading religious educational bodies, teacher trade unions and a number of other organisations of his proposals for the establishment of city technology colleges. Since the original announcement the Department has had further contacts with some of these bodies.

Mr. Alton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what will be the current costs per year of a city technology college; and what proportion of these costs will be on staff salaries.

Mrs. Rumbold

At current prices it is estimated that the annual current cost of a city technology college will be of the order of £1.1 million to £1.8 million, depending on local circumstances. The breakdown of actual costs will depend on decisions to be taken by the promoters of CTCs. If they are in line with the present practice of local education authorities we would estimate that 80 per cent. of annual current expenditure would go on staff costs.

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