HC Deb 29 April 1975 vol 891 cc91-2W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the proposed closure of the Huddersfield Polytechnic teacher training department, explaining the reason behind the proposal.

Mr. Prentice

The proposal that Huddersfield Polytechnic education department should cease initial teacher training is a consequence of the need to reduce the number of teachers planned for 1981 from 510,000 to an upper limit of between 480,000 and 490,000 resulting in a reduced requirement for teacher training places and the cessation of teacher training at some 30 colleges of education. I made a statement about this matter in this House on 20th March last. —[Vol. 888, c.471–2.]—The reasons for the proposal include the small size of the department and the fact that the poly- technic should find little difficulty in using redundant teacher training places for other purposes. I am awaiting the observations of the local education authority on the proposal before I come to a decision.