§ Mr. Nicholas Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to seek to ensure in changing the Government funding of the Open University that opportunities for in-service training and further education for people living in rural and remote areas, particularly in relation to special needs in education are not disproportionately diminished.
§ Mr. BrookeThe university is reviewing its current activities in the light of the announced grant levels and my right hon. Friend has asked the Open University visiting committee to advise him on its intended programme of action. The review is still in progress and we have no doubt that the university will weigh carefully the effect on students from rural areas of the action it decides to take.