§ Mr. Formanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards the establishment of a national centre for management training of head teachers and senior staff in schools; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephAltogether, 13 bids for the national centre were received, many of which were strong contenders. After careful consideration, I am pleased to be able to announce that an invitation to establish the national centre is being extended to Bristol university, in collaboration with the south-west regional management centre at Bristol polytechnic. I am sure that this association of the university and regional management centre offers the right blend of expertise and skills for the national centre. I am also very encouraged by the interest already shown in the centre by the CBI, the BIM and several large companies, and am grateful for the offers of practical assistance to the work of the centre which many of these and other organisations have already made.