§ Mr. MadelTo ask the Prime Minister what proposals he has to introduce a national awards scheme to recognise outstanding achievement by higher and further education institutions.
§ The Prime MinisterI am pleased to inform the House that Her Majesty the Queen has given her approval to the introduction of a national awards scheme to be known as the Queen's anniversary prizes for higher and further education.
The proposal for these prizes was initiated by the Royal Anniversary Trust. This trust was formed to fund certain celebrations of the fortieth anniversary of the Queen's accession in 1992. The awards scheme will be funded and operated by that trust, using the residue of money remaining in it at the end of 1992, in collaboration with Her Majesty's Government.
The purpose of the scheme is to recognise projects of the widest scope which are judged to be of outstanding excellence in service and benefit to the nation. It will be held every two years commencing in 1994, when applications will be sought in January. The prizes will be presented by her Majesty the Queen at a ceremony, which on the first occasion will be in February 1995.
The scheme is a free-standing initiative but obviously draws much on the experience of the existing Queen's awards arrangements. There are, of course, other awards schemes for further and higher education institutions and there continues to be a place for them in their particular fields. This new and distinctive scheme complements those activities and usefully provides a new focus for a vital part of the nation's endeavour.
The Government regard it as essential that the substantial expansion of further and higher education opportunities should be accompanied by increases in attainment and quality. I pay tribute to the many colleges and universities across the country which continue to work hard for these ends. Success brings its own reward, but it is right that particular excellence should receive particular recognition.