§ 21. Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the future of technical education in Northern Ireland generally and in Co. Antrim particularly.
§ Mr. Peter MillsI am confident that the new area boards for education and libraries which are to be established will fulfill their statutory duties as regards technical education in County Antrim no less than anywhere else: and that together with the Ulster College, which since 1971 is responsible for providing facilities for higher courses, they will be able to meet any reasonable demands. While individual colleges may vary in strength depending on local needs, expenditure of over £8 million on new colleges since 1968 and 100 per cent. increase in the numbers of full-time and day release students in the past 10 years indicate the important place of further education in future educational developments.