§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many applicants for places at teacher training colleges in 1978 were directed to colleges other than their first choice; and how many of these declined to do so.
§ Mr. McElhoneThis information is not available centrally.
§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what progress has been made in enabling teacher training colleges to meet higher education needs, other than the training of teachers.
§ Mr. McElhoneSteps are being taken to ensure that good use is made of all surplus accommodation in colleges of education for other educational purposes. In some cases, arrangements have already been made—for example, the use of accommodation at Craigie college of education by further education students from Ayr technical college; in others, new arrangements are planned to take effect from the beginning of the 1979–80 session. Discussions are proceeding also with certain colleges about possible diversification of their own activities into other fields.
§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he will ensure that all suitable applicants for places in teacher training colleges in shortage subjects will be encouraged to take up places in the college of their choice.
§ Mr. McElhoneThe selection of applicants for admission to teacher training is a matter for individual colleges of education. Over the last few years, my right hon. Friend has asked the colleges, in allocating places on courses of secondary training, to give priority to applicants in subjects of national shortage, and I understand that all such applicants with the requisite qualifications have been admitted to the college to which they applied.
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§ Mr. Youngerasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will now make a statement on his intentions regarding intake quotas to teacher training colleges for the coming year.
§ Mr. McElhoneMy Department has sought the views of the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, the General Teaching Council and the joint committee of colleges of education about overall levels of intake to courses of primary and secondary training for session 1979–80, the distribution of intake among the colleges, and the priority to be given to individual subjects in the selection of students for secondary training. My right hon. Friend
Subject Date of Commission Total Cost £ Selected Service Industries in Glasgow Metropolitan Area 1975 22,500 Buchan Impact Study 1975 24,700 Redundancy in Dundee—Displacement of Labour Effects 1977 9,520 The European Development Strategies of United States Multinational Companies in Scotland 1977 7,000 Movement of Manufacturing Industry in the United Kingdom 1977 10,750* The Determinants of Regional House Price Changes 1977 500 The Economics of Location in the Petrochemical Industry 1978 25,920 Occupation and Industry Matrix of Labour Skills in Scotland 1978 24,750 * Jointly financed by the Department of Industry and the Scottish Economic Planning Department, each contributing £5,375.