§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will set out in 1990 prices, the 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92 budgets for the National Council for Vocational Qualifications.
Mr. JacksonA total of £5.4 million was provided for the National Council for Vocational Qualifications in 1989–90, and provision is currently estimated at some £5.2 million for this year. The plans for 1991–92 currently provide for a total of £5.7 million.
§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment whether he has held any meetings with the National Council for Vocational Qualifications about its budget for 1990–91 and 1991–92; and if he will make a statement.
Mr. JacksonOfficials from my Department meet regularly with officers of the national council to discuss all aspects of the council's work. In addition, my hon. Friend the former Minister of State, Department of Employment met the council twice this year.
The House was informed on 17 May 1990 of a review of the council's progress, currently being undertaken by my Department, with the agreement of the Secretaries of State for Education and Science, for Wales and for Northern Ireland—Official Report, 17 May, column 540. We shall be finalising the council's budget following completion of the review.