§ 23. Mr. Freesonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made towards developing a full, coherent strategy towards the education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneWe are pursuing our aim of enabling all young people to participate in education or training. The recent review of education for 16 to 19-year-olds, which was undertaken in collaboration with local authority representatives, was a significant step in encouraging local education authorities to ensure that they provide a full range of opportunities. The Government are currently considering longer-term aspects of industrial training, and it is hoped to publish a consultative paper in the spring.
§ 25. Mr. Newensasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is prepared to provide financial assistance to enable local education authorities to reorganise education for pupils between 16 and 19 years of age in their areas where this is forced upon them by falling rolls.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleIt is the responsibility of local education authorities to secure the maximum value for money from the substantial resources which are already available for 16 to 19-year-olds in both schools and colleges of further education.
§ 38. Mr. Hooleyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made by his Department towards working out a methodology for better costing of provision of education, in various forms, for 16 to 19-year-olds.
§ Mr. MacfarlaneConsultants have been commissioned to devise a methodology which will help local268W education authorities compare the financial aspects of alternative options. The results should be available later this year.