§ Mr. Harry GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether the Government intends to legislate against bogus degrees; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonMy right hon. Friend has today issued a consultation paper outlining the Government's legislative proposals. These are to define genuine United Kingdom degrees as being those awarded by bodies authorised by royal charter or Act of Parliament to award them, and to make it an offence for any other person or institution to award what purported to be such a degree. Subject to the outcome of consultation we intend to add the necessary provisions at Committee stage of the Education Bill to be introduced later this month. Copies of the consultation paper have been placed in the Vote Office.