§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will list in the Official Report the number, location and course types of polytechnic and college places which the National Advisory Body has recommended be removed from the public sector provision of higher education.
§ Mr. WaldenNo. NAB itself has made no recommendations. The NAB secretariat has made proposals on its own authority as a basis for consultations with institutions and with a view to preparing draft advice to the Secretary of State for consideration by the NAB board and committee later this year. Decisions are taken by the Secretary of State.
The NAB secretariat's proposals are issued on a confidential basis for consultation to institutions, their maintaining local education authorities and a limited range of other bodies with a direct interest, such as those responsible for the validation of courses at particular colleges. Copies have been made available to my Department and to Her Majesty's Inspectorate on a similar basis.