§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what rating the Newcastle upon Tyne polytechnic has been given by Her Majesty's inspectors as regards quality of provision of teaching; and whether he has had any discussions with the Polytechnics and Colleges Funding Council as to how this will be reflected in its funding decisions.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthHMI offers advice to the PCFC programme advisory groups on subject areas, not whole institutions. That advice is used by PCFC in judging claims made for outstanding quality by institutions in their bids for funds. The PCFC programme advisory group accepted Newcastle polytechnic's claims for outstanding quality in six of the nine PCFC programme areas. HMI judgments, subject by subject, are always made known to the institution.
My right hon. and learned Friend has not had discussions of how these gradings for Newcastle polytechnic will be reflected in its funding decisions. He would not regard it as appropriate to do so arid he is satisfied with the arrangements adopted by PCFC to reward outstanding quality.