§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will create a standard unit of resource for all 16 to 19-year-old students financed from the public purse irrespective of whether they attend local education authority or grant-maintained schools, sixth form colleges or further education colleges. [4163]
§ Dr. HowellsI currently have no plans to create such a unit of resource. In March this year the Department published a report comparing the costs of education and training for 16 to 19-year-olds. I will be looking further at these findings and consulting with our partners in the education service before making any proposals about future funding mechanisms for 16 to 19 education.
§ Mrs. BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will readjust the cash base-line for further education to take account of the increased number of students in the further education sector. [4162]
§ Dr. HowellsI refer the right hon. Member to my answer to her of 10 June,Official Report, column 369.
§ Mr. StunellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will introduce measures to stop the loss of teaching staff in post-16 further education. [4202]
§ Dr. HowellsFrom incorporation on 1 April 1993, further education colleges assumed responsibility for their own finance and organisation, including the appointment, dismissal, redundancy and conditions of service generally of their staff. Decisions on recruitment and retention are, therefore, for individual colleges to make.