HC Deb 08 July 1980 vol 988 cc133-4W
Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) which polytechnic departments concerned with education and training in computer skills will be reduced or closed as a result of public expenditure cuts; (2) what effect the cuts in the public expenditure on education will have on training in computer skills in polytechnics.

Dr. Boyson

The resources available this year for home students in the maintained sector of higher education have been held at about their previous level. I would, therefore, expect the polytechnics to sustain their efforts in providing education and training in computer skills and to continue to review, together with their maintaining authorities, the provision they make to ensure that their resources are deployed as effectively as possible.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions his Department has had with directors of polytechnics about the need to expand education and training in computer skills.

Dr. Boyson

None recently, although the Department keeps in close touch with the appropriate polytechnic departments through HM Inspectorate. We are also considering the educational implications of the electronics industry computer sector working party of the NEDC on the manpower needs of the computer industry.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether any action has been taken by the University Grants Committee since May 1979 to expand education and training at undergraduate or postgraduate level in computer skills.

Dr. Boyson

The recurrent grant allocations for 1980–81 made to universities by the UGC in May 1980 should enable them to maintain their home undergraduate and postgraduate student entry overall and within that to respond to increased application rates for particular courses such as those involving computer skills. The recurrent and equipment grant allocations for 1980–81 included earmarked sums amounting to about £2.9 million to enable knowledge of microprocessors and their applications to be developed in a wide range of courses. This maintains earmarked provision for those special developments first made in grants for 1979–80.