§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has issued any guidance to professional bodies in order to help them improve their contributions to vocationale education.
§ Mr. Chris PattenMy right hon. Friend has not issued any formal guidance, and would not expect to do so unless the final report of the review of vocational qualifications (expected in April 1986) indicates that such guidance might be desirable. However, my right hon. Friend does on occasion address gatherings organised by professional bodies, at which he may raise issues relating to their contribution to vocational education. In particular, he raised several such issues in his Rivers lecture on 14 November last, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. In addition, officials of the Department and Her Majesty's inspectors have regular contact with the major professional bodies concerned with vocational education, in the course of which they may give guidance on my right hon. Friend's views and policies.