HC Deb 17 April 1996 vol 275 cc537-8W
Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the possible delays in the development and improvement in the services provided by the careers service companies from the competition process. [25173]

Mr. Paice

My right hon Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment is satisfied that careers service companies have continued to develop and improve the services they provide. Assessment of the service provided is in the chief inspector's annual report on the careers service, a copy of which is in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums she will make available to fund the careers advice for adults to be provided by the new careers advice companies. [25169]

Mr. Paice

The primary role of the careers service is to provide careers guidance to its statutory client group, who are young people in education and those who have recently left. The Government are investing over £200 million this year to support the careers service in this role. Careers service companies attract funding from a wide range of sources to fund their adult guidance activities, including indirectly from the Department.

Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make it her policy to license careers companies which satisfactorily meet their contractual obligations with her Department. [25175]

Mr. Paice

We have no plans to license careers service companies at this time.