§ Mr. RookerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what information he has regarding special companies created by colleges and universities to accept advance payments for annual fuel bills for the next five years; and if the funding councils will be asked to take into account such payments.
§ Mr. BoswellMy right hon. Friend is not aware that any special companies have been established by colleges or universities for the purpose of accepting advance payments for fuel bills, but he understands that colleges in the further education sector have received advice from independent consultants on schemes for paying fuel bills in advance. Where any such schemes entailed borrowing by colleges above a certain level, the consent of the Further Education Funding Council would be required. It would be for individual colleges to determine how to meet the cost of borrowing.