§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he proposes that the existing sites on which Cambridge regional college is located, to be vacated on completion of the college capital project, should be transferred back to the local education authority or whether they should be regarded as the property of the college.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his statement to the House on 21 March,Official Report, columns. 432–48, that he intends to vest colleges with the land, buildings and plants which they currently use. The disposal of such assets will require his specific consent. Each case will be considered on its merits and he will listen to any reasonable proposals that LEAs wish to make. My right hon. and learned Friend looks forward to 322W receiving details of Cambridgeshire LEA's proposals for the transfer of assets currently used by Cambridge regional college.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will provide the necessary assurances to enable tendering to be completed and work to begin as scheduled on the capital project to provide new purpose-built accommodation for the Cambridge regional college;
(2) what evaluation he has made of the effects of his statement on the future of further education on the tendering process for phase one of the capital project to provide new accommodation for Cambridge regional college.
§ Mr. EggarLEAs are required to gain the consent of college governing bodies for all contracts that endure beyond 31 March 1993 and will, additionally, require the Secretary of State's consent for contracts valued in excess of £50,000. My right hon. and learned Friend intends that these requirements should not unnecessarily impede the tendering process. He looks forward to receiving details of Cambridgeshire LEA's contract proposals for phase 1 of the regional college's building project.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make it his policy to provide a guarantee that the debt charges on capital expenditure to provide new accommodation for Cambridge regional college will not remain the responsibility of the local education authority should the college be accorded corporate status.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend is considering the treatment of debt charges arising after 31 March 1993 from capital spending on colleges and will announce his intentions shortly.
§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from Cambridgeshire county council about the impact of his statement on the future of further education on the project for new purpose-built accommodation for the Cambridge regional college.
§ Mr. EggarMy right hon. and learned Friend has received a representation about the impact of his statement on Cambridge regional college about debt charges and capital funding after 31 March 1993 for the building project at Cambridge regional college. Officers of the authority have also been in touch with DES officials.