Learning and Skills Councils

HC Deb 24 February 2004 vol 418 cc401-2W

John Mann

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what instruction he gives learning and skills councils on the extent of their written communications with hon. Members. [155240]

Alan Johnson

As an executive Non Departmental Public Body, the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) comes within the remit of "The Code of Practice on / Access to Government Information". This includes a requirement to answer requests for information, and to provide full facts and analysis of major policy proposals.

As part of the Management Statement agreed with my Department, the LSC required to answer correspondence and questions of an operational nature from hon. Members. We are also keen for the LSC to engage with hon. Members on major issues affecting post-16 learning within their constituencies.