---

Colleges of Education (Northern Ireland) Order 2005

Once again this afternoon, I thank the Minister for an extremely clear explanation of what is actually a rather complicated little affair. I also had the privilege of a briefing from officials this morning. It was not until I was coming to the end of that briefing that I realised the interplays and complexities of what appears, at first sight, to be a simple and straightforward tidying-up operation. We have reached a situation in which, from the outside, it would appear that there would be no obvious change to anyone, but from the inside everyone is in agreement, so far as I can understand from what the Minister said. Only one little thorny problem is left: appointment of the board of governors. That becomes slightly complicated because of the equality provisions. I suspect that all of us—the noble Lord said that it was his experience, and it is mine—feel comfortable and confident on such an issue that compromises will be reached, and that what we call at home the right answer will be arrived at. I have no difficulty in supporting the order.