HC Deb 30 November 1989 vol 162 cc351-2W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish the student-to-staff ratio in engineering courses at polytechnics for each of the last 10 years to the current year.

Mr. Jackson

Available data on student: staff ratios (SSR) are given in the table.

Laboratory and workshop based higher education SSRs at polytechnics: 1978–79 to 1987–88 (England)
Academic year Ratio
1978–79 7.8
1979–80 8.0
1980–81 8.5

Academic year Ratio
1981–82 9.1
1982–83 9.5
1983–84 10.1
1984–85 10.6
1985–86 11.0
1986–87 11.1
1987–88 11.5

These SSRs are calculated from data collected in the Department's Annual Monitoring Survey and are on a different basis from those calculated using student data from the Departments Further Education Statistical Record and lecturer data from Form 618G.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if his Department will make available resources to the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council sufficient to meet the funding requirements indicated by the Engineering Council.

Mr. Jackson

My right hon. Friend announced the resources available to the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council (PCFC) in his statement on 15 November (Official Report, written answers, columns 272–76). I understand that the Engineering Council has written to the PCFC about the question of resources for engineering education. It is for the PCFC to consider what its response should be.

Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when Her Majesty's inspectors received a copy of the Engineering Council's recommendations on the minimum resources required for engineering education in the polytechnic sector; and what response they propose to make.

Mr. Jackson

Her Majesty's inspectorate is aware of the statement published in 1984 entitled "Resources for Engineering Education" at degree and HND level. A review of engineering in the polytechnics and colleges, based on HMI inspections over the last five years, is about to be published. The review will include comment on a wide range of aspects of engineering education, including resources and their management.