§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what method of calculation has been used to establish the reduction in funding for Nottinghamshire county council arising from further education colleges funding themselves in future.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe standing spending assessment (SSA) element for education in 1993–94 reflects the responsibilities of local authorities for all aspects of education, including those of further education which will remain the responsibility of authorities. There has been no reduction in the 1993–94 SSA. for 1992–93, £2.3 billion was implicitly allowed for further education within SSAs of which it is estimated that £47.7 million was attributable to Nottinghamshire.
§ Mr. HeppellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment how long it is planned to take for affected areas in Nottinghamshire to receive proposed extra money to deal with their special needs in the event of pit closures going ahead.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy Department is making available £5 million under the coalfield areas fund and considering770W enterprise zone designations for areas which may be affected by possible closures. We have already received bids in respect of the coalfield areas fund from local authorities in Nottingham and elsewhere, in order that resources can be made available as soon as decisions are taken following the coal review.
These initiatives are part of the substantial packages of measures announced by the President of the Board of Trade on 13 and 19 October 1992. Decisions on the implementation of these measures will be taken in the light of the outcome of the coal review.