§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science which colleges of further and higher education have been closed or had their student numbers reduced in the West Midlands county in each single academic year since 1978–79.
§ Mr. BrookeNo colleges of further or higher education in the West Midlands county closed in the period 1978–84. None of the colleges in this area had reduced student numbers in each single academic year since 1978–79. However, three colleges experienced a steady decline in student numbers over this period interrupted by a rise in one year only. They were:
Student numbers November 1979 November 1984 * Matthew Boulton technical college 7,600 6,700 Sutton Coldfield CFE 5,200 4,200 Coventry technical college 7,300 4,700 * Provisional figures. Overall student numbers increased in the West Midlands county during this period. I shall write to the hon. Member giving details of annual enrolments at the institutions concerned.