§ Mr. CartwrightTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which teacher unions he consulted over the introduction of grants for education support and training, how long unions were given to respond to consultation; and how many unions have responded to any GEST proposals.
§ Mr. FallonThe grants for education support and training (GEST) programme, which brings together the existing education support grants and LEA training grants, was introduced following a review undertaken as part of the efficiency unit's scrutiny programme. Copies of the scrutiny report, and a statement setting out the Government's initial response, were sent on 12 February to a range of organisations, including the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association, the National Association of Head Teachers, the National Association of Schoolmasters/Union of Women Teachers, the National Union of Teachers, the Professional Association of Teachers and the Secondary Heads Association. The same unions were also sent copies of the draft circular issued on 20 July 1990 inviting local education authorities to submit applications for funding in 1991–92 under the revised GEST arrangements. In neither case was a specific deadline set for comments. Comments on the draft circular were received from the Assistant Masters and Mistresses Association.