HC Deb 23 December 1981 vol 15 cc416-7W
Mr. Murphy

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether arrangements have yet been completed for the future management and funding of higher education outside the universities.

Sir Keith Joseph

With the agreement of the local authority associations and after consultation with other interested parties I have decided to establish a new advisory body on the academic provision to be made in local authority institutions of higher education. The advice that this body will provide will assist me in the performance of my statutory duties in relation to the distribution of the advanced further education pool and the approval of advanced courses. The advisory body will comprise a committee supported by a board and such sub-committees as the board may appoint. My hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, West (Mr. Waldegrave), the Under-Secretary of State, will chair the committee, which will otherwise consist of representatives of the local authorities and of the chairman of the board. The chairman of the board will be Mr. Christopher Ball, warden of Keble college, Oxford, and I shall shortly be inviting nominations for membership of the board from a number of higher education and other interests. I hope the committee and board will meet next month. The terms of reference of both are as follows. This initiative is without prejudice to the Government's continuing consideration of longer-term arrangements for the management of higher education in the public sector.

Terms of Reference

The committee for local authority higher education.

  1. 1. For the time being and in the light of resources specified for Local Authority Higher Education in England by the Secretary of State after consultation with local authorities, to consider, on the basis of recommendations from the Board for Local Authority Higher Education, the academic provision to be made in institutions in selected fields as decided by the Committee.
  2. 2. To advise the Secretary of State, in respect of those fields, on the appropriate use of his powers with regard to the apportionment of the advanced further education pool and to the approval of advanced courses.
  3. 3. To monitor the implementation by local authorities and institutions of dispositions made by the Secretary of State in the light of this advice.
  4. 4. In formulating this advice, to contribute to a coordinated approach to provision, as necessary in relevant academic fields, between the local authority and the University, voluntary and direct grant sectors of higher education.
  5. 5. To undertake or commission such studies or to seek such information as appear necessary for the determination of this advice.

The board for local authority higher education.

To receive instructions from and make recommendations to the Committee for Local Authority Higher Education in pursuit of the fulfilment of the Committee's Terms of Reference. In so doing, the Board will:

  1. a. establish such ad hoc groups as the Committee judges necessary to assist with aspects of this task;
  2. b. establish effective liaison with the university, voluntary 417 and direct grant sectors of higher education, with appropriate validating and professional bodies and, as necessary, with representatives of industry and commerce;
  3. c. Secure advice from appropriate sources as necessary on the regional and local aspects of local authority higher education.