THE EARL OF HARROWBYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether any plans have been made for improving the accommodation of the two colleges of Art and Technology near Bournemouth, where instruction last autumn had to be carried out in passages and bathrooms which were in bad condition, and whether it would not be better to close the colleges or reduce the numbers of staff and students until adequate accommodation can be provided.
§ BARONESS PHILLIPSAs my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science told a delegation from the Local Education Authority last November, he hopes to make provision in an early building programme for a substantial project for the College of Technology. Details of this and its relationship to the present accommodation of both the colleges will be discussed soon with the Authority, who are meanwhile improving that of the College of Art by the acquisition of additional temporary accommodation. The matters raised in the last part of the Question are for them to consider in the first place, but my right honourable friend is not aware of any evidence to suggest that the temporary closure of either college would be justified.