§ Mr. FatchettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give general guidance to further education college boards of management about the provision of education to those with special educational needs.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthSubject to the passage of the Further and Higher Education Bill, in accordance with the commitment given by my noble Friends on 14 January,Official Report, House of Lords, Vol. 534, columns 167 and 211, my right hon. and learned Friend will issue guidance to the further education funding councils on the application of the phrase "disproportionate expenditure" in clause 2 of the Bill and on the importance of ensuring that adequate arrangements are in place for assessing the educational needs of students with learning difficulties. It will be for the councils to take this into account in determining the arrangements for funding the colleges.