§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions have taken place between officials of his Department and the Manpower Services Commission on increasing provision of adult training courses at colleges of further education in 1987–88 and beyond; what account has been taken in such discussions of the fees charged by colleges of further education in relation to fees at Manpower Services Commission skillcentres; what information is available to his Department on the comparative value for money offered by colleges of further education in providing such courses; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldOfficials from my Department and the Manpower Services Commission are currently engaged in discussions with the local authority associations for England and Wales about the level of fees to be charged for MSC funded adult training courses provided by colleges of further education in the 1987–88 academic year. The commissioning of provision by the MSC and the account it takes of the comparative costs of college courses and those provided by the commission's skills training agency are matters for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Employment.