asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will set out the criteria under which he is proposing to close initial teacher training courses at the Dartford site of the Thames polytechnic; and if he will make a statement.

My right hon. Friend took into account a wide range of factors including:

the efficient use of resources

the commitment of the institution and the maintaining LEA or

providing body to teacher training

the strangths of the institution

the size of the commitment to education

the relationship between teacher training and other courses

the existing base for primary work

recruitment patterns

facilities and resources

the relationship between PGCE and BEd courses

in-service training

geographical distribution of institutions

the proportion of places previously allocated to the different denominational interests.

Institutions were not considered in isolation and it would be a misunderstanding of the process to attempt to identify specific factors in respect of individual institutions.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what alternative teacher training opportunities will be available in Kent and south London if specialist primary and PE courses are withdrawn from the Dartford site of Thames polytechnic.

We have decided that initial teacher training should be discontinued at Thames polytechnic. Primary courses will continue in Kent at Christ's Church college, Canterbury; within the Greater London area south of the River Thames at Avery Hill college, Goldsmiths' college, Kingston polytechnic, Roehampton institute of higher education and the polytechnic of the South Bank. Avery Hill college will also offer PE training.