12. To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills if he will hold discussions with the Association of Colleges on the number of new students applying for college places in 2010. (271888)

My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, and my hon. Friend, the Minister for Further Education meet the Association of Colleges regularly to discuss issues of mutual concern. They will be meeting the Association on 6 May.

19. To ask the Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills what recent discussions he has had with representatives of higher education institutions on their procedures for allocating places for applicants. (271895)

I have regular discussions with the HE sector and its representative bodies. Concerning the allocation of places, it is a steadfast principle that individual universities decide who they admit to their courses and Government do not interfere in that process.