§ Mrs. McKennaTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement about the forthcoming policy and financial management review of the Scottish Education Unit. [54145]
§ Mr. DewarMy Department will conduct a review of the Scottish Further Education Unit during 1998 under the programme of five-yearly non-departmental public body reviews. The review will examine the status and functions of the Scottish Further Education Unit in accordance with Cabinet Office guidance.
The review will be conducted in two distinct stages. The initial stage of the review—the "prior options" stage—will focus on whether the body is required at all, whether NDPB status is correct, and whether the functions are being delivered in the most effective manner. As part of this, The Scottish Office will thoroughly examine the case for abolition, transferring part or all of the functions to another body, rationalisation, privatisation, and continuation as an NDPB. The second stage of the review will then examine the Scottish Further Education Unit's financial management and control systems.
The first part of the review will also examine the roles of other organisations involved in the development and support of further education in Scotland and the scope for co-ordination of their activities with those of the Unit to ensure maximum value for money from the central government resources available for further education in Scotland.
289WThis study will commence in the autumn and will be carried out by the Scottish Office Management and Organisation Unit.
In order to help ensure that all options are considered fully, comments from interested parties will be welcome. Comments should be sent by mid October 1998 to:
- Dr. David McAllister
- Further Education Funding Division
- The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department
- Area 1-C
- Victoria Quay
- Edinburgh
- EH6 6QQ.