HC Deb 17 April 1996 vol 275 cc538-40W
Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what sums have been provided in 1995–96 to fund the range of advice and information centres and other schemes run directly or indirectly by TECs; and what assessment she has made of the cost effectiveness of transferring these funds in future years to careers services. [25170]

Mr. Paice

In 1995–96 training and enterprise councils were provided with £13.4 million to fund careers guidance for 13 and 14-year-old children and £1.5 million to fund careers libraries. From April 1996 the routing of all careers guidance and careers libraries funding will be through careers services. This simplifies the way the money is provided since careers services—as direct providers of services—are closer to schools and colleges and to young people.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps she is taking to ensure increased liaison between the local community and training and enterprise councils. [24056]

Mr. Paice

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given to him on 27 March,Official Report, column 620.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what are the current procedures for investigating a complaint against the training and enterprise councils; and what plans there are to bring the complaints system under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration. [24058]

Mr. Paice

As private companies, it is for training and enterprise councils to deal with any complaints made against them. The Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration has no jurisdiction over private companies. I welcome the fact that the TEC National Council's framework for local accountability, which is endorsed by all TECs, emphasises the necessity for TECs to have robust and well-publicised complaints procedures.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what investigations she is undertaking into child care facilities provided by training and enterprise councils; what plans she has to promote a national uniformity of such facilities; and if she will make a statement. [24057]

Mrs. Gillan

All training and enterprise councils deliver the Department's out-of-school child care initiative, which gives grant support towards the start up costs of new out-of-school child care provision. In making grants to child care providers, TECs must have regard to four national criteria: quality, viability, labour market impact and extra child care places. Thereafter, the initiative is flexible and allows TECs to tailor the delivery to meet the needs of the local community. The initiative has been fully evaluated. A copy of the report, which was published on 23 January 1996, has been placed in the Library.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to include a commitment to equal opportunities as criteria for training and enterprise councils being issued with a three-year licence; and if she will make a statement. [24059]

Mr. Paice

Equal opportunities is already addressed in the licensing criteria. In addition, the licensing agreement requires licensed training and enterprise councils to implement their strategies for equal opportunities.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what proposals she has to introduce a stricter policy on the disclosure of contracts for the training and enterprise councils; and if she will make a statement. [24060]

Mr. Paice

Training and enterprise councils are private companies. It is for them to decide whether they should disclose details of contracts within the guidelines of the code of practice on open government.

Mr. Hinchliffe

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research she has undertaken to review the boundaries of training and enterprise councils areas; and if she will make a statement. [24061]

Mr. Paice

The existing network of training and enterprise councils reflects the make-up of local labour markets and the views of local partners, including the private sector. I have no plans to review boundaries, but would consider any proposals by TECs on their merits.