HC Deb 04 July 1995 vol 263 cc156-7W
Mr. Worthington

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will publish the analysis of cost savings to be achieved by reducing the number of education and library boards in Northern Ireland from five to four. [31422]

Mr. Ancram

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave him on 27 June,Official Report, columns 587–88.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many responses in respect of the consultative document, "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland: Proposals for Change", supported the removal of control of further education from the education and library boards to the Department of Education. [31656]

Mr. Ancram

Twenty-two responses have been received, which support the removal of the further education colleges from board control. A range of views has been expressed on the most appropriate centralised planning and funding arrangements.

Mr. McGrady

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland (1) how many responses made in respect of the consultative document, "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland: Proposals for Change", called for the withdrawal of the proposals pending local parliamentary democracy and if he will list those representations; [31657]

(2) how many responses made in respect of the consultative document, "Educational Administration in Northern Ireland: Proposals for Change", supported the rationalisation measures and how many favoured decentralisation. [31658]

Mr. Ancram

So far, I have received some 1,400 written responses to the proposals for change document. They relate to the full range of proposals in the document rather than to any specific aspect of them. The responses are being indexed and analysed at present and it is therefore not possible to provide the information requested at this time.