§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the discussions which have been taking place between officials of his Department and representatives of the Council for National Academic Awards about establishing targets for reducing the latter's staff of 160 and annual expenditure of £5 million.
§ Mr. WaldenOnly informal discussions have so far taken place. The matter is now being pursued more formally in the light of the Government's response to the Lindop report announced by my right hon. Friend on 17 March, at columns 1 and 2, which envisages a significant devolution of the council's responsibilities to institutions.