§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what controls he is to introduce to ensure that polytechnics calling themselves universities do not adopt titles similar to existing universities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthUnder the arrangements outlined in the White Paper "Higher Education: A New Framework", Cm 1541, proposals from institutions to adopt university titles will be subject to the consent of the Privy Council. The Privy Council Office has written to all polytechnics indicating the general principles to be applied in considering such proposals. These will be that any new name should not be the same as or too like that of another university, and should not be misleading or offensive.