§ 28. Mr. Maxtonasked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement on the progress of the proposed merger between the New University of Ulster and the polytechnic.
§ Mr. ScottA steering group, which was set up in June, is proceeding with the work of planning the new institution, which will be created by the merger of the New University of Ulster and the Ulster Polytechnic. The steering group decided to give early attention to the choice of vice-chancellor designate, and Mr. Derek Birley, the present rector of the polytechnic, has been so designated. I am pleased to say that both existing institutions are now actively involved with the steering group in detailed consideration of constitutional and academic structures for the new institution.