§ Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what plans he has for the future operations of the careers and occupational information centre.
880W
§ Mr. HowardI have considered the report of the consultants I appointed to investigate the future of COIC in the light of the results of last year's internal review of careers guidance, taking account of the Government's proposals to strengthen careers advice for young people set out in chapter 7 of the recent White Paper "Education and Training for the 21st Century" Cm 1536, vol. 1. I have concluded that privatisation is not feasible at present, and I am considering other options for the future of COIC.