§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations she has had with local education authorities concerning her proposal to establish numeracy and literacy centres; what will be the basis of selection for those attending; and if attendence will be voluntary or optional or obligatory additional to existing teaching duties or on secondment for an existing appointment. [8459]
§ Mr. Robin SquireDepartmental officials consulted the local authority associations on the nature of the scheme and have offered all local education authorities the opportunity to attend a discussion on 16 January to inform the production of their bids.
Details of the operation of the scheme and the criteria for selection of LEAs are included in the letter which was sent to all chief education officers on 5 January. I will write to the hon. Member enclosing a copy of this letter, and will place copies of the letter in the Libraries of both Houses.