HC Deb 10 February 1981 vol 998 c318W
25. Mr. Bob Dunn

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what restrictions are laid down concerning financial gain when polytechnics and other colleges exploit their knowledge and expertise in conjunction with private industry.

Dr. Boyson

With the exception of the London polytechnics, polytechnics and other maintained institutions are, by law, a part of the organisation of their maintaining authorities; and any which might exploit their expertise for gain by undertaking consultancy work must therefore operate within the constraints on "trading" to which local authorities are subject including, for example, the Local Authorities (Goods and Services) Act 1970 and sections 111(1) and 148 of the Local Government Act 1972. The five polytechnics in London, though assisted by ILEA, are in law independent bodies and not, therefore, subject to these constraints.