§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to protect the level of opportunities for musical education in the light of the current proposals to merge the Royal Academy of Music and the Royal College of Music.
Mr. JacksonThe committee which conducted the review of the London music conservatoires was appointed by the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council. The latter has now published the committee's report and invited comment on it by the end of September. It will then be for the council to decide what action to take in the light of the report and of the responses to the consultation on it. My right hon. Friend looks forward to hearing what conclusions the council comes to in due course.
It is clear from its terms of reference that in appointing this committee the council had in mind the need
to maximise the efficiency and effectiveness of the provision of music educationin its sector and is seeking to discover how the three London music conservatoires within its aegismay be organised so as to train young performing musicians to the highest national and international standard".Copies of the committee's report have been placed in the Library of both Houses.