§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if he will announce the membership of the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what guidance he intends to issue to the Scottish Higher Education Funding Council on the exercise of its functions.
587W
§ Mr. LangI am pleased to confirm that Professor John C. Shaw CBE, deputy governor of the Bank of Scotland has accepted formal appointment as part-time chairman of the council with immediate effect. I am grateful to Professor Shaw for the considerable efforts he has already made in his capacity as chairman designate. I have today sent a letter of guidance to Professor Shaw setting out how I expect the council to approach its responsibilities. The letter covers the council's functions and organisation, aspects of Government policy of particular relevance to the council, and the framework through which the council will account for their activities. A copy of the letter has been placed in the Library.
I am also delighted to announce that Professor John Sizer CBE, the head of the business school and professor of financial management at Loughborough university, has agreed to serve as the council's chief executive. Professor Sizer will also sit on the council in an ex officio capacity.
In addition to Professor Shaw and Professor Sizer, the following have agreed to accept appointment to the council:
- Professor Michael Bond, vice-principal and administrative dean of the faculty of medicine, university of Glasgow.
- Dr. Christopher Carter, vice-principal, Duncan of Jordanstone college of art.
- Professor John Darby, Assistant principal, Napier polytechnic.
- Professor Robert Jack CBE, senior partner, McGrigor Donald, solicitors, and professor of mercantile law, university of Glasgow.
- Mr. John McClelland, UK director of manufacturing and hardware at IBM.
- Mr. Ronald Miller CBE, executive chairman of Dawson International.
- Miss Eileen Murdoch OBE, headmistress, St. Augustine's school, Edinburgh.
- Professor Janet Sprent, professor of plant biology, university of Dundee.
- Mr. Ian Wood CBE, chairman and managing director of the John Wood Group plc.
- Mr. James Wright, vice chancellor, university of Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
I am confident we have achieved an excellent blend of academic, industrial and professional experience which will serve the new council well in the exciting and important tasks which lie ahead.