§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what criteria will be employed in approving mergers and acquisitions involving further education colleges; what will be the consultation process for staff and local communities; and if he will make a statement on his policy. [23959]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State will normally consider further education corporation mergers on the basis of a formal proposal from the Further Education Funding Council for England and following a statutory consultation process. He will consider each case on its merits. The Council assesses proposals against criteria which include educational and financial benefits, the likely success of the proposed reorganisation and the extent of consultation and the consideration given to alternative proposals. There are opportunities for the involvement of staff and local communities during preliminary consultations conducted locally and then following the formal issue of statutory notices by the Council prior to the submission of the proposal to my right hon. Friend for a final decision.