Business Names (Hansard, 23 February 1993)

§ Mr. Bayley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 51, (1) what steps he took, before approving the name Somerset University under the Business Names Act 1985, to satisfy himself that the degree-level courses provided met levels of educational quality recognised through validation by universities, the Council for National Academic Awards or other educational institutions;
(2) what consultations he had with the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals, or other educational interests, before approving the name Somerset University under the Business Names Act 1985;
(3) when he responded to the owner of the business wishing to trade under the name Somerset University under the Business Names Act 1985; what British 501W educational bodies or public representatives supported the application; and if he will publish his response to the request from the owner.

§ Mr. Boswell
The President of the Board of Trade approves names under the Business Names Act 1985. The appropriate regulations, requiring consent under the Act, do not apply to names in use before 1 January 1983. Since there was evidence that "Somerset University" was in use before that date, the opinion of the Secretary of State for Education and Science was not sought.

§ Mr. Bayley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 51, if he will list those business names, including either of the words university or polytechnic on the use of which his opinion is currently being sought.

§ Mr. Boswell
The opinion of my right hon. Friend is currently being sought on "Eastern International/Huron University, Inc." and "EIEA/Huron University, Inc." as the proposed business name of Lansdowne University Ltd., a South Dakota corporation.

§ Mr. Bayley
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, pursuant to his answer of 15 February,Official Report, column 51, if he will publish his criteria for approving the use of the word university under the Business Names Act 1985.

§ Mr. Boswell
The President of the Board of Trade, who approves names under the Business Names Act 1985, consults the Privy Council where it is proposed that "university" is included in a business name. The Privy Council normally seeks the advice of my right hon. Friend, who is concerned to protect the status of United Kingdom universities and their interests and to avoid any confusion which might arise in the minds of the public.