§ Mr. StottTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many further education colleges in Northern Ireland are to be amalgamated during 1994–95 following the publication of the Stewart inquiry; what study has been made of additional expenditure required to carry out the mergers; if that additional expenditure is expected to be met from colleges' own delegated budgets or from additional finance provided by the Government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramFive mergers involving 12 colleges will be implemented on 1 September 1994, reducing the total number of colleges from 24 to 17. There was no overall study on the costs to carry out the mergers; details of additional expenditure will become available following decisions made by local management. The Department of Education will continue to review the situation with the education and library boards concerned and every effort will be made to ensure that college budgets will not be adversely affected.