§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposed budget for the next three years of the Learning and Skills Council, on(a) the number of people employed and (b) the level of service provided in (i) England and (ii) Portsmouth; and if he will make a statement. [129791]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisThe budget for the Learning and Skills Council in 2003–04 is £8.1 billion, rising to £9.2 billion in 2005–06. This substantial increase will allow the LSC to improve the range and quality of learning opportunities available to young people and adults in all parts of England. Within the LSC's budget I have allocated £218 million in each year for the LSC's administration costs and I have asked the LSC to find administrative economies so that it can manage with a flat cash administrative budget. The LSC is also undertaking a reshaping exercise which will build on its strengths, resulting in fewer staff but an enhanced502W capacity to improve services and deliver against targets. This is a matter for the LSC and Mark Haysom, the Council's Chief Executive, will write to the hon. Member with more information about the reshaping exercise and place a copy of his reply in the Library.
§ Mr. GoodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his letter to the hon. Member for Wycombe of 21 July when he plans to lay a draft order in relation to complaints of maladministration against local learning and skills councils. [133599]
§ Alan JohnsonThe Learning and Skills Council will be brought within the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (The Ombudsman) shortly. Officials in my Department have been in contact with the relevant officials in the Cabinet Office to ensure that this happens as quickly as possible. I will write to the hon. Member when this happens.