as a "historical anachronism" and argued that unearned qualifications should be discontinued to preserve the academic integrity of the taught MA. Further, they warned that the title gave Oxbridge graduates an unfair advantage in the job market. The bill's opponents disputed that the title provided an unfair advantage in practice, noted that the QAA had previously investigated the matter and was unconcerned, and questioned whether it was desirable for Parliament to interfere in the academic procedures of autonomous universities, especially when there was no suggestion that analogous practices at Scottish universities be similarly reformed. The bill's second reading debate occurred on 21 October 2011 but ran out of time. The bill made no further progress and fell at the end of the parliamentary session. See also Wooden spoon (award) Wrangler (University of Cambridge) References External links Ordinances of the University of Cambridge regarding Master of Arts degree The Oxford MA, Oriel College, Oxford Oxbridge MA degrees under threat (BBC website) Academic courses at the University of Cambridge Academic courses at the University of Oxford Education in England Arts Terminology of the University of Cambridge