§ Mr. Nigel EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will make a statement about the future of the Training and Employment Agency. [15310]
§ Mr. AncramA prior options review and an evaluation of the Training and Employment Agency have been completed. On the basis of these Ministers concluded that the agency should continue as a next steps agency with the same operation responsibilities for a further five years. In November 1995, Ministers agreed a new framework document for the agency which, among other things, 527W commits the agency to seeking further involvement of the private sector in the delivery of programmes and services. The new framework document has now been printed and copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.