§ Mr. Skeetasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will 335W detail the proposals he has approved for the integration of the College of Physical Education, the Bedford College of Education and Mander College, all in Bedford, stating what economies in administration and staff are envisaged and whether the individual units are to be preserved;
(2) whether it is anticipated that the three integrated colleges in Bedford will operate less expensively as an integrated unit as compared with three separate entities under their separate managements;
(3) whether it is expected that salaries for administrative staff will increase as a result of the amalgamation of the three Bedford colleges; and whether the creation of a supervisory post is envisaged.
§ Mr. MulleyI have approved under my Department's Circular 7/73—"Development of Higher Education in the Non-University Sector"—the proposal made by the Bedfordshire Local Education Authority for the amalgamation of the Bedford College of Education, the Bed-for College of Physical Education and the Mander College of Further Education. It will be for the local education authority and the governors to consider matters relating to the organisation, financing, staffing and management of the amalgamated institution but the new institution should be better placed than the three separate colleges to make economical use of the total resources available.