HC Deb 12 July 1978 vol 953 cc592-3W
Mr. Ashton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what agreements were made as to the retention of Eaton Hall training college as part of the Trent Polytechnic between her Department and Nottinghamshire County Council at a meeting at the Department of Education on 26th April 1977, and as set out in a letter from her Department to Nottinghamshire County Council dated 27th June 1977; and to what extent the agreement has been put into effect since that date;

(2) what discussions have taken place between her Department and Nottinghamshire County Council concerning their change of policy and refusal to guarantee any future use for Eaton Hall teacher training college, Retford, or to continue with the administration of Eaton Hall under the responsibility of the Trent Polytechnic;

(3) how many teachers and ancillary workers are likely to be made redundant due to the decision by Nottinghamshire County Council to close Eaton Hall teacher training college, Retford;

(4) whether she will make an investigation into the decision by Nottinghamshire County Council to close completely Eaton Hall teacher training college, Retford.

Mr. Oakes

No agreement was made at the April 1977 meeting but my right hon. Friend in the letter of 26th June accepted the local education authority's counter-proposals that higher and further education, including some courses for teachers, should continue at Eaton Hall as part of Trent Polytechnic. This acceptance was subject to discussion with the authority of detailed arrangements to minimise the difficulties of operating on two sites, and this has taken place with Her Majesty's inspectors at the authority's request.

My right hon. Friend has not yet been informed of any decisions reached by the authority as a result but expects to hear from it shortly and will then consider the matter. There are 156 teaching and non-teaching staff at Eaton Hall, including part-time staff. On the question of redundancy, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave to his Question on 1st March.—[Vol. 945, c. 247.]