§ Mr. Ernie RossTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the forthcoming policy and financial management review of the Scottish Council for Educational Technology. [15306]
§ Mr. DewarMy Department will conduct a review of the Scottish Council for Educational Technology during 1997–98 under the programme of 5 yearly non-departmental public body reviews. The review will examine the status and functions of SCET in accordance with cabinet office guidance.
The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study. This will assess the extent to which the functions that SCET performs are necessary from the achievement of the Government's policies, and whether there is scope for privatising, contracting out or 357W transferring all, or part of their functions to another body or bodies. The results of the prior options study will inform a detailed review of its policy and financial management systems.
The review will also examine the scope for co-ordination of the activities of the Scottish Council for Educational Technology with other bodies to ensure maximum value for money from the central Government resources available for education in Scotland.
The prior options study will commence in early December 1997. In order to help ensure all options are considered fully, comments are invited from interested parties. Comments should be sent by 5 December 1997 to:
- HMI Mrs. M. Browning
- TERI Division
- HMN Inspectors of Schools
- The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department
- Area 2–B91
- Victoria Quay
- EDINBURGH
- EH6 6QQ>