Mr. Brown:

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in the past month from directors of polytechnics about the National Advisory Body's planning exercise for 1987–88.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received in the past month from directors of polytechnics about the National Advisory Body's planning exercise for 1987–88.

I have received one letter. During the past month I have also visited five polytechnics and my right hon. Friend has also visited one. The National Advisory Body's planning exercise was among the subjects discussed on each occasion.

Mr. Brown:

When the hon. Gentleman responds to the representations made to him by the directors of the polytechnics in the northern region — Teesside, Middlesbrough, and Newcastle—will he give due weight to the representations that have been made by major private sector employers in the northern region, including Alcan and Swan Hunters, which have protested most vigorously to the cuts that he proposes?

The hon. Gentleman's question is based on a total misconception. I propose no cuts and the Government propose no cuts. As it happens, I have visited the polytechnics to which the hon. Gentleman refers and I have therefore had a recent opportunity to leave people on the spot in no doubt about the inaccurate and misleading information which has been put about and which has been encouraged by the hon. Gentleman.

I congratulate my hon. Friend on the excellent results which were announced earlier this afternoon of the increase under the Government in the numbers of polytechnic students. Does that not show the Conservative Government's considerable support and commitment to the growth of this particular sector of higher education, which now rivals the universities in the quality of the work that it does?

I am glad that my hon. Friend made that intervention, because it will help to counter some of the nonsense that is put about by the Opposition. I am never surprised when the Opposition flog a dead horse, but "Poly Cuts" expired before it even got to the starting line.