§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what has been the reduction in financial support for Nottinghamshire county council as a result of colleges funding themselves; and what has been the effect on Nottingham of the area cost adjustment.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe Education element of the standard spending assessment (SSA) for Nottinghamshire county council for 1993–94 reflects the responsibilities which remain with the authority following the transfer of further education. I estimate that in 1992–93 the education SSA element in Nottinghamshire would have been £47.8 million less if the transfer had taken place in that financial year.
Nottinghamshire do as not benefit from the area cost adjustment. Analysis has shown that only London and the south-east face labour costs which are significantly above the national average.