HC Deb 15 May 1995 vol 260 c13W
Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what plans she has to revise the enrolment targets for further education colleges. [23538]

Mr. Boswell

My right hon. Friend does not set college targets for enrolment in the further education sector. The Government's planning assumptions continue to imply a significant increase in student numbers between 1993–94 and 1997–98.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the Government's assessment of the effect of increased enrolments on teaching loads at further education colleges in terms of teaching standards and levels of stress among lecturers. [23541]

Mr. Boswell

The Government have not conducted a formal assessment of the effect of increased enrolment in the further education sector. The issue of teaching standards in the sector is the responsibility of the Further Education Funding Council.

Mr. MacShane

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to monitor teaching standards at further education colleges. [23539]

Mr. Boswell

The responsibility for ensuring quality in FE sector colleges in England rests with the Further Education Funding Council (England). I have asked Sir William Stubbs, its chief executive, to write to the hon. Member.