Written question asked by Humfrey Malins (Conservative) on Tuesday, 19 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 November 2004. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 15 November 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, how many reports of bogus colleges have been made to him in the last 24 months; and how many such colleges have been closed. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Malins: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many reports of bogus colleges have been made to him in the last 24 months; and how many such colleges have been closed. [193250] Mr. Browne: Details of the number of bogus colleges reported, or the number closed, are not currently collated centrally. The DfES Register of Educational Establishment will be launched in January 2005. Immigration and Nationality Directorate officials have visited over 1,150 establishments of concern so far this year, of which about a quarter have been found to be bogus. All applications for leave to enter or remain as a student are checked against this information, and applications relating to colleges known to be bogus are refused.

Secondary information