HC Deb 18 March 2004 vol 419 cc469-70W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with business on the work of the Learning and Skills Council. [162304]

Alan Johnson

I have regular contact with business representatives to discuss the work of the LSC and skills related issues.

To ensure that business needs are at the heart of the LSC arrangements, and that they are customer-driven, at least 40 per cent. of the members of the LSC, both nationally and locally, and the national Chair and the majority of local Chairs, continue to be people with substantial recent business or commercial experience.

Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what discussions he has had with the Central London Learning and Skills Council on the future of the Battersea Park Road building of Westminster Kingsway College. [162102]

Alan Johnson

The planning and funding of education and training in the post-16 learning and skills sector is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). I am aware that the London Central LSC, having carefully considered the proposal, supports the decision by Westminster Kingsway College to close its site in Wandsworth. It considered that the college's plan make the most effective use of public funds and there is a wide range of other centres in that area providing learning opportunities for the local community.

Martin Linton

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what funding he has made available to the Central London Learning and Skills Council for each year since its establishment; and how many centres of learning were funded through the Council for each of those years. [162103]

Alan Johnson

This is a matter for the Learning and Skills Council (LSC). I have asked Mark Haysom, the LSC's 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 plans he has to make the Learning and Skills Councils accountable to the public through the Parliamentary Ombudsman. [162105]

Alan Johnson

The Learning and Skills Council has been brought under the jurisdiction of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration (the Ombudsman). This came into effect from 16 December 2003 by virtue of Parliamentary Commissioner Order 2003.