§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for increasing the amounts spent on library facilities for students undertaking advanced courses in the non-university sector.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeMy right hon. Friend issued guidance last November on the new area standards for libraries in polytechnics and other further education establishments. A substantial part of the £37 million further education building programme for 1973–is allocated to the improvement of library facilities and includes nine projects at polytechnics at an estimated cost of £2.5 million. The Department is consulting local education authorities about the projects they wish to start in 1974–75 and 1975–76. In teacher training about half the projects in building programmes up to 1973–74 include new or improved library facilities.