§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the status of the Learning and Skills Council reorganisation plans in(a) Carlisle and (b) Haringey. [144065]
§ Alan Johnson[holding answer 15 December 2003]: Section 113A of the Learning and Skills Act 2000 gives the Learning and Skills Council powers to propose establishing, closing or altering school sixth-form provision. Regulations require local Learning and Skills Councils to consult on preliminary proposals before deciding whether to publish formal proposals, which are decided by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State.
Cumbria Learning and Skills Council is currently consulting on preliminary proposals to close school sixth forms in the Carlisle area and replace them with a sixth-form college. The consultation is due to end in January 2004.
London North Learning and Skills Council has consulted on preliminary proposals to close school sixth forms in Haringey and replace them with either a 16-19 school or a sixth-form college. The LSC is now considering responses to consultation before deciding whether to proceed with formal proposals.
§ Mr. WillisTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) how many staff have been made redundant at the Learning and Skills Council since its inception in 2001: [144622]
(2) what the proposed target for workforce reduction is at the Learning and Skills Council; and what criteria are used to formulate the redundancy programme. [144623]
§ Alan JohnsonThese are matters for the Learning and Skills Council. Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with this information and a copy of his reply will be placed in the Library.