Clause 32 - Approval of plans
Higher Education Bill
10:15 am
Mr Alan Johnson (Minister of State (Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education), Department for Education and Skills; Kingston upon Hull West and Hessle, Labour)
I will consider the point that my hon. Friend and the hon. Member for Harrogate and Knaresborough make. I do not see this as being in the legislation, but I will reflect on it further. We have thought about this a lot. I do not think that the Office of Fair Trading would be willing to write a letter unless it had details about a specific case. I will write to the Committee next week. Once the Bill receives Royal Assent we plan to issue substantial advice in conjunction with HEFCE and the Office of Fair Trading so that colleges, universities and higher education institutes understand the issues here. I will reflect on what hon. Members said, but we are keen to ensure that we overcome the difficulties.
Question put and agreed to.
Clause 32, as amended, ordered to stand part of the Bill.