§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) when his Department will agree the new criteria for degree-awarding powers and university title in England and Wales; [172288]
(2) whether the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education has extended its moratorium on the grant of new degree-awarding powers to institutions in Wales. [172289]
§ Alan JohnsonA moratorium on new applications for Degree Awarding Powers (DAP) and University Title (UT) was put in place for institutions in England and Wales last year as we consulted on revised criteria for DAP and UT. In a written ministerial statement on 16 March 2004,Official Report, column 16WS, I announced that we would be holding further discussions on renewable DAP and a paper will be issued on 14 May 2004. A copy of this paper will be placed in the House Libraries and will also be available on the Department for Education and Skills website. We hope to finalise new criteria for DAP and UT in England and Wales by this summer.