HC Deb 27 February 1998 vol 307 cc391-2W
Mr. Olner

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment when he proposes to undertake a quinquennial review of the Further Education Funding Council for England. [32272]

Dr. Howells

In accordance with the Government's policy of quinquennial reviews of non-departmental public bodies, the Department will conduct a thorough review of the Further Education Funding Council in 1998. The first stage of the review will take the form of a "prior options" study with the following terms of reference:

  1. (i)to review the Further Education Funding Council's functions, and the likely need in future for those functions;
  2. (ii)to consider the powers, terms of reference, constitutional status, membership and activities of the Further Education Funding Council;
  3. (iii)to consider whether some or all of the functions of the Further Education Funding Council can be performed through other means;
  4. (iv)to review the efficiency and effectiveness of the Further Education Funding Council in carrying out its functions.

This study is now underway and I should welcome comments from interested parties. Comments, which may be made public unless respondents specifically request otherwise, should be sent by Tuesday 31 March to: Mr. Adrian Shaw, Divisional Manager Further Education Division, Department for Education and Employment, Room 1.82, Sanctuary Buildings, Great Smith Street, London SW1P 3BT.

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