§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when his proposals for reducing the number of education and library boards will be implemented. [37217]
§ Mr. AncramIn my statement of 25 June, I undertook to consult the education and library boards before finalising a date for the implementation of the new structure. Those consultations are continuing.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what factors underlay his policy of appointing representatives to education and library boards. [37221]
§ Mr. AncramThe present arrangements for appointments to education and library boards are set out in schedule 2 of the Education and Libraries (Northern Ireland) Order 1986.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much money will be saved under his proposals for reducing the number of education and library boards; and if he will itemise the savings. [37168]
§ Mr. AncramMy estimate is that the restructuring will save approximately £2 million, of which one half is expected to come from a reduction in senior management structures and central service functions and one half from efficiencies in the delivery of executive services. These estimates will be updated as detailed planning proceeds for the implementation of the new structure.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what assessment he has made of the extent to which his proposals for reducing the number of education and library boards ensure greater uniformity of provision for comparable schools. [37220]
§ Mr. AncramOne of the objectives in reducing the number of education and library boards from five to three is to reduce the number of different school funding formulae presently used by the boards and to develop, in conjunction with the newly restructured boards, a greater uniformity of approach in allocating resources to similar schools under the local management of schools funding arrangements.