§ Mr. Bryan DaviesTo ask the Secretary of State for Education (1) what analysis he has made of the effect of the system of categories of quality assessment currently used by the Higher Education Funding Council for England on the recruitment of overseas students;
(2) what consideration he has given to abolishing the categories of quality assessment currently used by the Higher Education Funding Council for England in favour of a single quality threshold.
§ Mr. BoswellUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, responsibility for all aspects of the system of quality assessment rests with the funding council. It is currently considering recommendations arising from an evaluation of the quality assessment process in its first full year of operation. My right hon. Friend will look to the council to take decisions on those recommendations, having regard to the need for helpful information for students and others, and for the council itself in respect of its funding decisions; and to the desirability of encouraging improvements in the quality of teaching and learning as well as assuring that it meets minimum requirements.