HC Deb 15 July 1988 vol 137 cc366-7W
Mr. French

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will be in a position to announce his decision regarding the future of the Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology, Gloucester; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jackson

The applications from Gloucestershire College of Arts and Technology and a number of other colleges to join the new Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council sector raise very important issues both for the colleges concerned and for the future patterns of higher and further education provision nationally. My right hon. Friend is accordingly giving the applications careful consideration. He hopes to be able to make an announcement shortly.