§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to impose tuition fees on students studying for the Postgraduate Certificate in Education/Certificate of Education (Post 16). [28906]
§ Dr. HowellsI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Walthamstow (Mr. Gerrard) on 2 February 1998,Official Report, columns 564–65.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to increase the number of places available to train teachers of further education to meet the expansion of student numbers forecast for the next four years. [28907]
§ Dr. HowellsIt is for universities and colleges to decide what courses to offer in response to demand from students and employers, including demand for potential teachers of further education. We are keeping the situation under review and will continue to consult with the sector.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what is the total amount of government funding allocated to British further education institutions in 1998–99; and what the amount was in each of the past five years. [28909]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Department will allocate £3,114m in 1998–99 to the Further Education Funding Council. The table shows the levels of funding in the last five years, including payment in respect of claims for demand-led funding in 1996–97 and 1997–98.444W
£ million Year Amount 1993–94 2,778 1994–95 2,914 1995–96 3,025 1996–97 3,154 1997–98 3,138 The responsibility for further education colleges in Scotland and Wales lies with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Wales.
§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what discussions he has had with the Further Education Funding Council on current budget deficits of further education colleges. [28694]
§ Dr. HowellsDepartmental officials are in regular contact with the Further Education Funding Council on a range of issues affecting further education colleges.