When the Minister meets the Committee of Vice-Chancellors and Principals does he intend to discuss with it the Secretary of State's plans, reported in The Independent on Sunday, to abolish the distinction between universities and polytechnics? Will he confirm that the Government are considering that matter? Does he agree that in order to overcome the binary divide it will be necessary to establish a joint funding council, common quality assurance mechanisms and safeguards for the existing research commitments at universities?