asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why his Department has agreed to allow higher national diploma courses in engineering to be discontinued.

Since the establishment of the fully representative Technician Education Council in 1973 it has been the policy of successive Governments that the council should eventually take over responsibility for validation of technician education courses. The replacement of HND courses in engineering by higher diplomas validated by the council is a part of this process. It has been considered very carefully over a long period, and I am satisfied that it will be to the benefit of engineering education.