Written question asked by Lembit Opik (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 25 October 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 27 October 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Basildon (Labour) on Monday, 14 November 2005 on behalf of the Northern Ireland Office.

Brownlow College, Portadown

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, what the reasons are for the refusal to fund the development proposal for a sixth form proposed by Brownlow Controlled Integrated College in Portadown; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: An examination of the proposal from Brownlow Integrated College did not convince the Department that sufficient consideration and planning had been given to the issue. The College proposed to initially offer 10 academic 'A' level courses, which are also available in various combinations through other local post-primary and further education providers. The Department has also reservations about the viability of the sixth form and the proposal failed to provide sufficient statistical evidence to support the view that numbers could be sustained.

Secondary information