§ Mr. Bob Dunnasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the outcome of the review of sandwich course provisions announced by 286W the Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science on 15 June 1981, Official Report, Vol. 6, c. 279–80; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldegraveThe report of the review of sandwich course provision carried out by my Department is being published today and copies are being placed in the libraries of both Houses, together with copies of the report on training places which was presented last year to my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Scotland by the Council for Tertiary Education in Scotland.
The Government are concerned at the shortfall in sandwich placements identified in both reports, particularly where this affects disciplines which are vital to the country's future economic welfare. The Manpower Services Commission (MSC) is therefore increasing by 25 per cent. the number of grants available to firms to support placements within the "Training for Skills: Programme for Action", from 2,000 in 1981–82 to 2,500 in 1982–83; the additional 500 grants will be to support placements for sandwich students in engineering and applied technology courses. In addition the MSC's scheme for supporting computer science sandwich placements will be extended by 30 per cent. (75) in 1982–83 to make 325 places available.
Despite the very rapid increase—both absolutely and relatively—in sandwich student numbers over the last decade, and the considerable commitment on the part of institutions and employers to the sandwich principle, there is little firm evidence in support of sandwich courses as compared with other modes of education provision. There was wide-spread agreement among respondents to the review that a comprehensive assessment of sandwich provision was needed.
The Government therefore intend to contribute towards the funding of a programme of research aimed at clarifying the costs and benefits of sandwich education, and some £50,000 has been set aside for this in 1982–83. The programme will be co-ordinated by a steering group led by my Department, with members from other central Government Departments and with representatives from education and industry.