§ Mr. Bruceasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will make it his policy to ensure the maintenance of an autonomous North of Scotland college of agriculture;
(2) what approaches have been made by officials of his Department to the North of Scotland college of agriculture regarding a possible merger; what plans he has to alter its present status; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayAs indicated in my answer of 14 March to the hon. Member for East Lothian (Mr. Home Robertson) my right hon. and learned Friend supports the proposal by the Council of the Scottish Agricultural Colleges to form a new company which would have overall responsibility for the management of all the services provided by the Scottish agricultural colleges. Any alteration in the status and constitution of a college—north, west or east—requires the agreement of the board of governors of that college. Officials of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland have kept in close touch with all three colleges since the proposal was first made.