Higher Education and Research Bill (Tenth sitting) Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDavid Evennett
Main Page: David Evennett (Conservative - Bexleyheath and Crayford)Department Debates - View all David Evennett's debates with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
(9 years ago)
Public Bill Committees Dr Blackman-Woods
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Dr Blackman-Woods 
        
    
        
    
        I was saying to the Minister, who is now talking to the Whip—[Laughter.]
 The Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury (David Evennett)
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            The Lord Commissioner of Her Majesty's Treasury (David Evennett) 
        
    
        
    
        We need a cup of tea!
 Dr Blackman-Woods
    
        
    
    
    
    
    
        
        
        
            Dr Blackman-Woods 
        
    
        
    
        We absolutely do. I will try to be brief.
It is far from clear who the Minister expects the OFS to have in mind as the validator of last resort. The amendment refers to the Open University as it is well known to be a high-quality validator, but that does not mean that the OFS would have to use the Open University. We hope that the Minister will reassure us that the validator of last resort would be an institution that is as highly valued and respected as the Open University, and not just whoever the OFS thinks will validate a particular course in mind so that an institution is able to run something that perhaps should not be run if proper arrangements were put in place.