HC Deb 04 February 2004 vol 417 cc894-5W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he was informed that the fraud squad of the Israeli police were investigating the unlawful sale of University of Humberside degrees; and what measures he has taken as a result. [152195]

Alan Johnson

[holding answer 2 February 2004]: My Department was alerted by recent press articles to the investigation by Israeli police. The Higher Education Funding Council for England wrote to the University of Lincoln (formerly the University of Lincolnshire and Humberside) on 26 January 2004 formally requesting details of the University's position.

Mr McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many(a) false and (b) genuine degree certificates have been issued through each branch of University of Humberside franchised operations in Israel since they were established. [152196]

Alan Johnson

[holding answer 2 February 2004]: The University has informed me that 4,965 students in Israel were awarded degrees and that these are genuine. I have no information on the number of false degree certificates.