§ Mr. Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement about future arrangements for the operation of the further education curriculum review and development unit.
§ Mr. William SheltonAs from 1 January 1983 the further education curriculum review and development unit will be a company limited by guarantee, and will change its name to the further education unit—FEU. It will soon thereafter be granted charitable status. This change, together with an increase in funding, is in recognition of the increasingly important role of the unit as a focal point in the process of further education curriculum development, particularly in the area of provision for the 16 to 19 age group.
Although the terms of reference and method of working will remain essentially the same, the change in legal status will mean that the FEU company will become the employer of its staff and will also assume responsibility for 272W accommodation and other services. My right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Education and Science and for Wales will continue to fund the unit's operations, and my right hon. Friend, after consultation with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, will appoint the chairman and members of the board of management and will have the right to advise on work priorities. The FEU has decided for the immediate future to continue to reside in DES premises at Elizabeth House and will pay for accommodation and services on a full-cost basis.