§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what funds are being made available to further education colleges for the administration costs that will be incurred from the transfer of responsibility for bursary administration from local authorities. [18615]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonFollowing consultation with local authorities and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities, £45 million was transferred from the aggregate external finance settlement to fund the provision of further education bursaries in colleges in Scotland in 1996–97. This settlement is based on historic trends of local authority expenditure and includes an element to reflect administrative costs.
§ Mrs. LiddellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what transfer arrangements have been made for bursary administration staff in local authorities in respect of the transfer of this function to further education colleges. [18614]
§ Mr. Raymond S. RobertsonIt is the responsibility of each college's board of management to determine its staffing requirements for this new responsibility. The268W Association of Scottish Colleges has encouraged its members to ensure that local authorities and their bursary staff are made aware of opportunities as they arise. Liaison has also been maintained with the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities.