§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has for proposals on Lifelong Learning; and if he will make a statement. [40129]
§ Dr. HowellsMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Employment published his proposals for lifelong learning in the Green Paper,The Learning Age (Cm 3790), on 25 February. The 402W consultation period lasts until 24 July. Meanwhile, we have issued several of the "Learning Age Papers" foreshadowed in the Green Paper:
- Higher Education for the 21st Century (published 25 February);
- Further Education for the new Millennium (published 25 February);
- Accountability in Further Education (published 5 March);
- University for Industry Pathfinder Prospectus (published 31 March); and
- Individual Learning Accounts Development Guide (published 8 April).
Copies of all these documents, which provide further information on particular policy issues and initiatives, have been placed in the Library. In addition, our proposals to improve coherence and accountability in 16–19 planning were sent to the Further Education Funding Council and the Local Government Association on 5 March; and our proposals for 16–19 qualifications were circulated to schools and other interested parties on 3 April.