§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what powers she has to provide exceptional funding to universities which have particular areas of expertise. [10899]
§ Mr. ForthUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, responsibility for determining the allocation to universities of grant funds provided by the Department for Education and Employment rests with the Higher Education Funding Council for England. The allocation to universities of grant funds relating to initial teacher training is, under the Education Act 1994, the responsibility of the Teacher Training Agency. The Secretary of State for Education and Employment has no powers to provide exceptional funding to universities which have particular areas of expertise.