§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent provision he has made for accountancy services for incorporated colleges, broken down by(a) human and (b) technical support services, and what he estimates to be the cost of these services in this and the next financial year. [998]
§ Mr. AncramAdditional provision of £510,000 has been made in the current financial year for use in strengthening their financial systems. No separate provision has yet been made for 1997–98.
The existing baseline also includes provision for the enhancement of colleges' financial management systems through improved computer hardware and financial accounting software. Estimated costs are as follows:-
1996–97 £ 1997–98 £ Capital 384,000 — Recurrent 555,000 376,000
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the extra costs to his budget will be this year of funding the incorporation of the further education colleges; and if he will itemise that expenditure. [999]
§ Mr. AncramA budget of £1 million has been made available in the current financial year. It is estimated that this will be used as follows
Strengthening college financial systems: £510.000Project management and other college preparations: £395,000Consultancy support, conferences, training and guidance for colleges: £95,000.