§ Mr. Thorntonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the outcome of his consideration of the application by the Architectural Association School of Architecture for designation of its diploma course for mandatory awards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleSince the Architectural Association School of Architecture applied to me for designation of its course for mandatory awards, a number of relevant questions have been explored with the school. These included in particular the academic level of the course, since it is a statutory requirement that to be eligible for designation courses should be comparable in level to first degree. I am pleased to be able to say that an independent panel under the chairmanship of Mr. David Bethel, director of Leicester polytechnic, concluded in March that the school's course was so comparable. I should like to record my gratitude to Mr. Bethel and his colleagues for their assistance.
However, I have concluded that I would not be justified in designating the course at present. As a result of the Government's policy of restraining public expenditure, the total resources available for higher education have had to be reduced and I do not consider that it would be appropriate for me to designate further courses in independent institutions at this time. This decision in no 170W way reflects upon the quality of the school's work, and I have assured the school that I will reconsider its application when circumstances permit.