§ 22. Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to improve the pay and conditions of part-time lecturing staff in further and higher education. [119646]
§ Mr. WicksPay and conditions for FE and HE staff are an important issue, although the detailed arrangements are for employers to determine. We have increased the funding for higher education by over £1 billion over the four years to 2001–02. And we have made the biggest ever investment in FE, increasing funds from £3.1 billion in 1998–99 to £3.9 billion in 2001–02. We are encouraging employers and unions to work together on sensible ways forward under the improved circumstances we have created.