Sir Ron Dearing

Sir Ron Dearing yesterday officially launched a national survey which will inform his inquiry. A questionnaire, which will be circulated to more than 1,500 organisations including all further and higher education institutions, covers a range of questions about the size, shape and funding of the sector.

Consultation packs designed for schools and employers will also be sent out in September, and consultation conferences for higher education, employers and students are to be held in the autumn and early 1997.