College Students

Mr. Dunnachie
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment he has made of the reduction in the numbers of students attending colleges of education in Scotland; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Forsyth
The numbers of full-time students attending colleges of education in Scotland have risen from 4,300 in 1984–85 to 5,150 in 1989–90, a rise of 20 per cent. Student rolls in the colleges are expected to increase further in the years ahead as the demand for newly trained teachers expands.