Higher Education Funding Council

HC Deb 25 June 1996 vol 280 cc116-8W

Mr. Sweeney

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the business expertise of the current membership of the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales; and if he will make a statement. [34725]

Mr. Hague

The current membership includes three people with direct business expertise. I wish, nevertheless, to strengthen the council and have today appointed Dr. Kenneth Gray CBE, technical director of Thorn EMI, as a member of the council. I have also appointed Professor Brian Clarkson to the council.

They have been appointed for three years.

Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales on what date his Department was informed of the proposal to set up the Welsh ambulance policy and advisory group; what undertakings he gave of departmental co-operation with it; and if he will make a statement. [34283]

Mr. Hague

My Department was informed of proposals by trusts to establish a Welsh ambulance policy advisory group in October 1994. The group is independent of my Department but my officials were invited to attend meetings. The group's first formal meeting was held on 16 January 1995.