Written question asked by Parmjit Dhanda (Labour) on Friday, 11 July 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 1 September 2003. It was answered by Alan Johnson (Labour) on Monday, 1 September 2003 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what action he is taking to ensure that engineering equipment available to students at further education colleges matches that used by employers; what action he is taking to ensure that capital investment is being used to purchase up to date engineering equipment by further education colleges. - Includes figures.

Answer: Mr. Dhanda: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills (1) what action he is taking to ensure that engineering equipment available to students at further education colleges matches that used by employers; [126230] (2) what action he is taking to ensure that capital investment is being used to purchase up to date engineering equipment by further education colleges. [126231] Alan Johnson: The Government recognised the need for increased levels of capital investment in the further education sector in its `Success for AH' strategy to reform and improve standards in further education. Capital funding will increase by over 60 per cent. in real terms to over £400 million by 2005-06, compared with 2002-03. The Learning and Skills Council administers the capital programme for the post-16 sector. I have asked John Harwood, the Council's Chief Executive, to write to the hon. Gentleman with the information requested and to place a copy of his reply in the Library.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 409 c731-2W;409 c733W; 126230;126231
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Capital investment Education Further education Equipment Engineering
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk