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Dept for Education and Skills

Answer

Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what consultations he is carrying out regarding the appointment of an independent person or panel responsible for reviewing the decisions of the Office for Fair Access on appeal by the universities; who will appoint the independent person or panel; whether there is a requirement of political neutrality on the part of the independent person or panel; and what his timetable is for the creation of such a body. [194196] Dr. Howells: A consultation document was issued earlier this month to interested parties, including Universities UK, on how the review procedure might work in practice. The Secretary of State will make the appointment, in accordance with the principles set out in the Code of Practice for Ministerial Appointments to Public Bodies, as set out the regulations recently approved by Parliament. The usual requirements concerning political activity will apply. The Secretary of State expects to make an appointment before the Director of Fair Access makes his first formal decisions.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

194196; 426 c285W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Access Admissions Appeals Higher education Monitoring Universities Office for Fair Access

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk