§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to measure the number of joint projects between universities and(a) local authorities, (b) chambers of commerce and (c) training and enterprise councils.
§ Mr. BoswellMy right hon. Friend welcomes the growing number of such joint projects, of many diverse kinds. Their development is a matter for autonomous universities and their partners, and no information is collected centrally.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps he is taking to encourage university involvement in business links initiatives.
§ Mr. BoswellResponsibility for developing links with business, of all kinds, rests with individual institutions. Many are conscious of the need to do so, and some are working with the local business links promoted by my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade. Ministers take opportunities, by means of speeches or visits, to encourage universities to see the importance of developing links with business. Equally, we encourage the world of business to recognise the value of working with universities.