§ Mr. Wareingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what information has been sought from his Department by the Council of Europe about the existence of bogus universities in the United Kingdom;
(2) if he will introduce legislation to outlaw the operation of bogus universities in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenThe Government deplore the activities of those offering bogus qualifications for sale. Proposals for legislation to curtail such activities from my right hon. Friend the Member for Daventry (Mr. Prentice) have been studied but there are substantial practical difficulties associated with them, not least in relation to European Community law. The Government therefore see little prospect of introducing early legislation in this area.
The Council of Europe recently sought the Department's comments on its own compilation of unrecognised institutions of higher education in Europe, North America and elsewhere.