§ Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she will make a statement about the intended closure of the Department of Architecture at the North-East London Polytechnic by the Royal Institute of British Architects.
§ Mr. van StraubenzeeThe School of Architecture at the North-East London Polytechnic is one of those "listed" by the Royal Institute of British Architects to prepare students for the Institute's external examinations. This is distinct from the category of schools whose courses and examinations are "recognised" by the R.I.B.A. for exemption from the examinations of the Institute.352W I understand that the R.I.B.A. wishes to discontinue the category of "listed" school but to consider the future status of the schools within it later this year when the Institute's visiting board has been to each, including the North-East London Polytechnic. Questions of "listed" and "recognised" status for schools of architecture are matters for the R.I.B.A. My right hon. Friend, for her part, has no intention of withdrawing her approval of the course so long as it remains viable.