§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many complaints have been made to him under section 57 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992; what was the subject matter of the complaints; and what was the outcome. [24978]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend receives many representations about the activities of the governing bodies of further education colleges and they are followed up where it seems appropriate to do so. The Department does not maintain a register of all complaints.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to amend the regulations concerning governing bodies of further education colleges; [24974]
(2) what plans he has to include representatives of local education authorities on the governing bodies of further education colleges; [24975]
(3) what plans he has to ensure that staff and students are represented on the governing bodies of further education colleges. [24976]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State expects to announce his plans for the future constitution of governing bodies of further education colleges in the forthcoming White Paper on Lifelong Learning.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many governors have been removed from the governing bodies of further education colleges as a result of being found unfit to serve; and what were the reasons for these findings. [24977]
§ Dr. HowellsDecisions on whether a Member of a governing body is unfit are matters for the governing body. The Department does not collect such information.
§ Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he proposes to exempt participants on further education teacher training courses from the payment of tuition fees. [24979]
§ Dr. HowellsThe £1,000 tuition fee contribution to be introduced for new students in 1998–99 will not apply to students on courses of initial teacher training, including courses for further education teachers, other than students 565W on a BEd, BA or BSc degree course. This reflects the importance which the Government attach to enhancing the quality of teaching and encouraging the effective training of teachers.