TESSA Blackstone, the minister of state, has approved the merger of Rutland College in Leicestershire, and the Tresham Institute in Northamptonshire. Alan Duncan, MP for Rutland and Melton, had said in the House of Comons that merger opponents had been “bulldozed”. But the minister said there had been no breach of statutory procedures. She was satisfied that the merger would enhance the quality of educational activity.
