§ Mr. Spearingasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what changes he proposes in the nature and work of the Further Education Unit; and what consultations he has had concerning the unit with local education authorities.
§ Mr. WaldenOn 4 September my Department issued, to the local authority associations and to other interested parties, a consultative document on the future of the Further Education Unit. This rehearsed a number of options for the unit's future, in the changed circumstances resulting from the increasing involvement of other bodies, directly and indirectly, in further education curriculum development. Particular attention was drawn to the option of a merger with the Further Education Staff College.
Officials of my Department had some contact with officers of the local authority associations in the process of drafting the consultation document. That, however, in no way pre-empts the consultative process, the outcome of which remains open. My right hon. Friend will take a decision on the unit's future as soon as possible after the end of the consultative process on 30 November.