Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has had any representations as to the relative value of a higher national diploma and a university degree; and whether his Department gives any advice to employers concerning such qualifications.
Mr. BrookeMy right hon. Friend has received no specific representations on this matter. While the Department publishes general information about the various kinds of higher education courses that are available, it is for employers to form their own judgment about the relative value of different qualifications. Higher national diploma courses can be particularly valuable in providing practical training in vocational subjects, and priority is being accorded to their development by the national advisory body for local authority higher education.