Learning and Skills Council

HC Deb 23 June 2003 vol 407 cc550-1W

Paul Holmes

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when the Learning and Skills Council published their Annual Accounts; whether these were published on schedule; and if he will make a statement. [120018]

Alan Johnson

The first Annual Report and Accounts of the Learning and Skills Council, to 31 March 2002, were laid before Parliament on 8 April 2003 and were subsequently published by The Stationery Office. This timetable was in accordance with the Learning and Skills Act 2000.

The Act also requires that the LSC send copies of its statement of accounts to the Secretary of State for Education and Skills and the Comptroller and Auditor General before the end of August following the financial year to which the statement relates. The LSC's statement of accounts was delivered on 29 November 2002.

The LSC agreed with the Comptroller and Auditor General that they would deliver their accounts to a revised timetable to provide time for FE colleges to deliver assurances on the proper use of LSC funds.