§ Mr. Sedgemoreasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what proposals he has received to amalgamate the Maidstone college of art and the Canterbury college of art or any of their courses; what is the purpose of such amalgamation; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what advice he has received from the national advisory board regarding the possible merger of the Maidstone college of art and the Canterbury college of art or any of their courses;
(3) if he will take steps to ensure that in any mergers of the Maidstone college of art and the Canterbury college of art or any of their courses, all part-time and full-time jobs of the staff will be maintained and there will be no reductions in student admissions.
§ Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend is awaiting the national advisory body's advice — which will not be finally determined for some weeks yet — on the provision and the level of student admissions in 1984–85 at Maidstone college of art and Canterbury college of art, and elsewhere in the local authority sector of higher education. The effect on staffing of decisions taken by my right hon. Friend as a result of the national advisory body's advice will be for individual local education authorities.