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Further Education and Training Bill [HL]

I am grateful to the Minister for his response. I had expected him to say very firmly that part-time students were included in the category in proposed new subsection (1)(a). Amendment No. 35 does not specify this. I suggested that two groups that may be considered were employees—teachers and lecturers—on one hand, and voluntary organisations on the other. We were suggesting widening the terms of the consultation a little bit by adding, "““such other bodies as the Secretary of State considers appropriate””." Perhaps the Minister is saying that he does not think the Secretary of State should lay down whom the LSC should consult; he thinks the LSC should decide for itself whom it consults. Nevertheless, Clause 7 refers to, "““guidance given from time to time by the Secretary of State””," and it might be that the Secretary of State wishes to remind the LSC that there are a number of partners and stakeholders in the process that might be consulted. It seems to me that it is a relatively innocuous amendment, and it might be one that the noble Lord would incorporate.