§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many A level subjects have been discontinued in sixth form colleges in each local education authority area in each of the last three years. [31943]
§ Dr. HowellsThe information is not available on the basis requested. The following data, on a regional basis, give details of planned withdrawal of A level courses as notified to the Further Education Funding Council in July each year.
Number of discontinued A level courses, by FEFC region 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 Greater London — — 1 East Midlands 2 1 — West Midlands — 1 5 Eastern 3 — 2 North West 3 — 11 South East 4 13 2 South West 1 — — Yorkshire and Humberside 2 4 1 Northern — 1 2 Total 15 20 24