HC Deb 09 June 1995 vol 261 cc353-4W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what instructions he has given to further education colleges about the number of higher national diploma students they may accept in(a) the current year and (b) future years; and what are the reasons for these instructions. [26635]

Mr. Ancram

No instructions were given to further eduction colleges about the number of HND students they may accept in the current academic year.

In line with the Government's policy to consolidate higher-level provision throughout the UK and control public expenditure on mandatory awards, the Department of Education set an overall maximum figure for higher level, full-time provision in each college for the 1995–96 academic year. Decisions have not yet been made on the number of full-time places to be permitted in subsequent years.