Colleges Of Education Mr. Wilson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland with reference to pararaph 1:3 of the report by the Comptroller and Auditor General on the Scottish colleges of education, for what reasons the Scottish Education Department considers the present arrangements for the planning of higher education unsatisfactory; and what proposals he has to improve the arrangements for the planning of higher education in Scotland. Mr. Allan Stewart Forward planning of degree and degree-equivalent provision in the non-university sector of Scottish higher education is carried out by the Scottish education department, in consultation with the institutions offering such provision and with other interests, but there no formal arrangements for including the universities in that framework. My right hon. Friend will be considering future planning arrangements for the whole of Scottish higher education in the light of the report by the Scottish Tertiary Education Advisory Council, which he expects to receive later this year. Mr. Wilson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland what are the detailed criteria applied to lecturers in Scottish colleges of education for the receipt of Crombie compensation. Mr. Allan Stewart Crombie compensation is payable to college of education staff who satisfy the requirements of the Grant-Aided Colleges (Compensation) (Scotland) Regulations 1977, as amended by the Grant-Aided Colleges (Compensation) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 1981, which had the effect of disapplying the 1977 regulations where loss of employment or loss of diminution of emoluments occurs as a result of a direction on student intakes given or regulations on college closures made after 14 August 1981. Copies of the 1977 and 1981 regulations are available in the Library. Mr. Wilson asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many lecturers in Scottish colleges of education received Crombie compensation in (a) 1983–84 and (b) 1984–85. Mr. Allan Stewart There were two new cases in 1983–84 and three in 1984–85.