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Regional Learning and Skills Councils Regulations 2007

Once again, I thank the Minister for introducing these regulations. We all agree that we must have a world-class skills base. As before, the noble Lord, Lord Jones, has asked a number of the questions that I had intended to put, so I shall re-emphasise, and elaborate on, their importance. The regulations make provision for the salaries of the chairman and other members of regional councils. Can the Minister confirm that each of the nine regional directors will be paid salaries of between £115,000 and £140,000? That means that, even on a generous estimate, the wage bill will be in excess of £1 million, but of course that does not take into account expenses and pension contributions. Will the Minister also shed light on the average total wage bill for each regional committee? If the restructuring of the learning and skills councils means that they are designed to be more responsive to employer, business and local demands, what specific interface will the new bodies have in terms of the constitution of the new bodies? What are the structural relationships? The regulations enable each regulatory council to appoint, "““such of its employees as it thinks fit to act as the staff of a regional council””." Perhaps the Minister can elaborate on what ““fit to act”” means. Can she say how many employees, both full-time and part-time, are currently working for the regional councils? Can she also say what roles the sector skills councils will have? There is no mention of them in these regulations. Finally, can the Minister say whether the national apprenticeship service will have a relationship with these new bodies?