asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what are her plans for increasing staff and courses in technical colleges.

The rate support grant settlement for 1976–77 allowed for an increase in staffing at colleges to match the forecast growth in the number of students taking non-advanced courses of further education. For advanced level courses it has been assumed that firmer steps will be taken to tighten staffing ratios as additional students enrol. Proposals for the provision of new courses and the level of staffing are matters for individual colleges and their maintaining local education authorities.