HC Deb 17 January 1978 vol 942 cc237-8
11. Mr. van Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to receive the report of the committee considering the management of public sector higher education under the chairmanship of the Minister of State.

Mr. Oakes

In the next few weeks.

Mr. van Straubenzee

So far as it lies within the Minister's authority, will he try to ensure that consideration of the report by the House, mentioned by his right hon. Friend in answer to Question No. 4, will include consideration of it on the Floor? Does he appreciate that many of us, while sympathetic to what he is trying to do, will want to look critically at the recommendations of the report in so far as they affect the effective involvement of local education authorities, particularly in the polytechnics?

Mr. Oakes

The first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is really a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House but I have no doubt that his representations will be taken into account. With regard to other matters likely to be contained in the report, the committee decided that its deliberations would be confidential until the issue of the report. Therefore, I am in some difficulty in answering the hon. Gentleman's second point.

Dr. Hampson

Since the Minister of State is the chairman of this committee, does it mean that he is obliged to accept its report? Second, in considering the way to proceed, will he bear in mind that both the central institutions in Scotland and the voluntary colleges in England provide a model for a direct Exchequer grant institution still tied in locally and serving local requirements?

Mr. Oakes

The report, when it comes, will, I hope, be unanimous. It will be a report of the working group.

On the hon. Gentleman's second point, I have the problem to which I referred a moment ago. In the course of final negotiations, it is difficult to answer questions in the House about precisely what we are doing.