§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what recent representations he has received about private institutions which describe themselves as universities offering courses leading to degrees which are not validated either by a university or by the Council for National Academic Awards; if he issues any advice to other educational institutions as to whether he recognises such qualifications; if the qualifications are recognised by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeA number of inquiries have been received about such qualifications. Inquiries are provided with a complete list of bodies empowered by Act of Parliament or Royal Charter to award United Kingdom degrees and of United Kingdom qualifications which, for teachers' salary purposes only (in England and Wales), are accepted by the Burnham committee as being of graduate status. We strongly deprecate the traffic in bogus degrees. However, the possibility of legislation to protect bona fide British degrees has been considered on several occasions and always found to be impracticable.
§ Mr. Greenwayasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will extend the terms of reference of the committee of inquiry he has appointed to review current procedures for the academic validation of first and higher degree courses to include consideration of such courses offered by private institutions which describe themselves as universities but whose degrees are not validated either by a university under Royal Charter nor by the Council for National Academic Awards; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BrookeNo. We recognise our hon. Friend's concern but the committee already has a very heavy task to carry out in a short time. We do not think it would be practicable or desirable to ask it to undertake any additional work particularly in an area which has been the subject of consideration in the past.