1 Introduction
1. In November 2007, we announced a wide-ranging
inquiry into the provision of cross-border public services for
Wales. In July 2008 we published our interim Report into the
provision of cross-border health services. In that Report, our
first Report within this inquiry, we noted that since the introduction
of devolution in 1999, concerns have been voiced that policy makers
in Cardiff and London are failing to consider the impact of diverging
policy on the natural flow of people across the Welsh-English
border. We believed it was important to consider the impact which
such diverging policy has on those wishing to access services,
and those providing services in both jurisdictions.
2. This Report focuses on cross-border issues as
they affect the provision of further and higher education services.
In the course of this part of the inquiry we have heard oral
evidence at Westminster and received written evidence from a range
of colleges, universities, education and business organisations.
We are most grateful to all those who took the time to provide
evidence. We would also like to thank our specialist adviser,
Mr Rob Humphreys, Director, The Open University in Wales, who
has provided us with expert guidance and advice throughout the
inquiry.[2]
2 Mr Rob Humphreys declared the following interests
to the Committee: member of the higher education in Wales review
group; appointed to the All-Wales Convention; employed by the
Open University; member of the Committee of Higher Education Wales;
Past President and Chair of Welsh Liberal Democrats; member of
the Wales Country Panel of Lifelong Learning UK. Back
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