Blunkett ban

Plans to release copies of the Dearing committee's report to a select few organisations days before publication have been scuppered by David Blunkett, the Education Secretary, who wants to get his political steer in first. No one will now see the report before Mr Blunkett announces it in the House of Commons, possibly on July 23. His intervention has made something of a nonsense of plans for a national conference to discuss the report, said to be of biblical proportions, just two days after publication. Rumours are now circulating that Sir Ron may organise a speedreading conference to prepare would-be speakers and delegates.