§ Mr. ToddTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills whether he has reviewed the handling of serious staff disciplinary cases in colleges following the publication and distribution of the Newby Report, Review of complaints against St. Austell College. [170641]
§ Mr. MilibandFurther Education institutions are independent corporate bodies and are therefore responsible for their own employment policies. The Government does however expect colleges to have robust and defensible policies and practices in place. In July 1996, at the request of the Secretary of State for 1775W Education and Employment, the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) commissioned Professor Howard Newby to review the actions of and disciplinary and grievance procedures used by St. Austell College whilst conducting a staff disciplinary case. In his review Professor Newby concluded that serious errors had been made by the College, The FEFC published the review in June 1998 to advise and inform other Further Education institutions in reviewing their procedures.