Editorial

Our Journal passed a further milestone in March this year when the first annual Studies in Design Education Craft and Technology conference was held. The subject was New Developments at Brunei and Loughborough, the discussion was led by Professor Bernard Myers and Professor Ken Brittan, a major exhibition was mounted and the participants numbered over 150 of whom a great majority were readers. The conference was characterised not only by the quality of the speakers and the display but also by the intensive discussion both during the conference sessions in the tea and coffee breaks and at the bar. The unanimous verdict was that the event was a huge success and a firm commitment exists for a repeat next year.Fortunately there is no shortage of subjects of similarly keen interest to readers. Pride of place goes to an important exchange of letters, printed in this issue, between Mal Evans, a member of the editorial board of Studies in Design Education Craft and Technology, and the Prime Minister on the recognition of 'A' levels in Design and Technology. The full and informed response of the Prime Minister will not only encourage all concerned with the status for our subject but should have considerable influence on those who evaluate it in universities, polytechnics and industry