HC Deb 17 March 2004 vol 419 cc369-70W
Charles Hendry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what services are contracted out to external providers through the Learning and Skills Council; and if he will make a statement. [161917]

Alan Johnson

The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) has the responsibility to plan, fund, monitor and drive up the quality of post-16 learning in England, apart from higher education. It has the power to give funding to others for the purpose of fulfilling its duties and exercising its powers. The detail of any such arrangement is a matter for the LSC and I have asked Mark Haysom, the Chief Executive, to reply to you direct, copying his reply to me.

Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what guidance he has given the Learning and Skills Councils on consulting(a) hon. Members and (b) local communities on the provision of further education in their areas. [162106]

Alan Johnson

The Learning and Skills Act 2000 requires local Learning and Skills Councils (LSCs) to consult relevant local authorities and regional development agencies in drawing up their plans for the provision of education and training, including further education. The Secretary of State's remit letter for the LSC also emphasised the Council could only succeed if it worked in partnership with a wide range of stakeholder organisations. I would expect local LSCs to involve a wide range of interested parties, including hon. Members, when developing their plans to meet the needs of local businesses and communities.