§ Mr. David AtkinsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on the Higher Education Funding Council funding for private sector colleges.
§ Mr. FormanUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 the Higher Education Funding Council for England is empowered to fund only universities, higher education corporations and designated institutions. My right hon. Friend does not currently designate new institutions because public funding for them would have to be found at the expense of existing higher education institutions.