HC Deb 22 November 1985 vol 87 cc329-30W
Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will discuss with the Scottish Certificate of Technical and Vocational Education council the possibility of all students who have completed the action plan modules receiving their national certificate at an early date; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Allan Stewart

I understand that data received by the Scottish Vocational Education council until the end of October have now been processed and that outstanding certificates, for which fees have been paid, are in course of being issued. I hope that any delays experienced can be put down to teething troubles in the first year of operation of the new certificate.

Mr. Ewing

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) if, in the light of the number of students in Scotland who have completed the action plan modules who are now being asked by the Scottish Certificate of Technical and Vocational Education Council to pay sums of up to £40 before that body will issue their national certificate, he will take steps to meet the cost from central funds;

(2) how many students in Scotland who have completed the action plan modules have not received their national certificate because they claim they cannot afford to pay the module fee.

Mr. Allan Stewart

The intention to charge a fee per module was announced by SCOTEC and SCOTBEC (the predecessors of the Scottish Vocational Education council) in their letter of 10 June 1984 to education authorities and colleges. Responsibility for the funding of SCOTVEC rests, in the main, with regional and islands councils in Scotland and, following discussions with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, agreement was reached upon a fee of £2 per module. Arrangements have been made by SCOTVEC with regional and islands councils and the Manpower Services Commission for payment of fees in respect of students under the age of 18 and those undertaking the national certificate as part of their youth training scheme programme in academic session 1984–85. SCOTVEC has written to students over the age of 18 requesting payment of outstanding fees before their certificates are issued. I see no case for meeting these fees from central funds. I have no information on the hon. Member's second question.