§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what mechanisms exist in respect of a further education college becoming insolvent. [20589]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonProvisions in the Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 allow for my right hon. Friend to make an order for the closure and dissolution of boards of management. Such an order may include provision on the transfer and vesting of property, rights, liabilities and obligations.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland(a) which principals and (b) which boards of management of further education colleges have met his Department to discuss the finances of their colleges in the current year. [20590]
§ Mr. RobertsonOfficials maintain regular contact with the principals and boards of management of further education colleges on financial and other matters. Meetings took place with North Glasgow and Clydebank colleges in 1995 to discuss their forward development plans.
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§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland which aspects of further education colleges' financial affairs are(a) open and (b) not open to public scrutiny. [20591]
§ Mr. RobertsonThe Further and Higher Education (Scotland) Act 1992 requires the agenda, minutes and papers of board of management proceedings to be available for public inspection, except where it appears to the board that matters should be treated as confidential because of their commercial nature or otherwise. Audited annual accounts are publicly available from colleges and annual reports with financial information are published.