asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will publish a table in the Official Report showing which counties have horticultural colleges or substantial horticultural sections in agricultural colleges; how many students have attended each college in each of the most recent five years for which figures are available; and what was the length and nature of the courses offered, together with such information about costs as is readily available.

In November 1983, the latest date for which information is available, courses leading to recognised qualifications in horticulture were provided by 93 further education establishments in England. The following information is readily available for these courses.For those colleges with 50 or more enrolments in any year the numbers of students participting in the years 1979 to 1983 are in the table. The colleges are shown under their LEA.Over 80 per cent. of all student enrolments were for courses of the City and Guilds and regional examining boards, other courses included those for OND, HND, national diplomas and certificates in horticulture, college diplomas and the general examination of the Royal Horticultural Society.It is estimated that 50 per cent. of all student enrolments were for courses of one year's duration. A further 31 per cent. were on the first year of courses lasting two years or more. No information is available about the financial arrangements for specific courses.