§ Mr. Cartwrightasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what role the further education unit will play in relation to the new National Council for Vocational Qualifications.
§ Mrs. RumboldMy Department is currently undertaking a review of the future of the further education unit, in the light of changes over recent years in the context of its work. One such change is the establishment of the National Council for Vocational Qualifications. The Department's consultative document raises, as one possible option, a merger between the unit and the council. Irrespective of the outcome of that review, I am sure that the unit will have a considerable contribution to make to the research and development effort needed to support the council's activities the council has already commissioned some work from the unit.
996W
§ Mr. WaldenThe following table shows the readily available information in respect of(a) central Government funding, plus home fee income, for the universities, and (b) estimated central and local government expenditure on public sector higher education net of income, except fees.