---

Apprenticeships, Skills, Children and Learning Bill

My Lords, this probing amendment has produced quite a lot of thought and activity, and I thank all noble Lords who joined in the debate. Who knows, out of it may come some even more concrete proposals than those which the Minister was kind enough to spell out. I am pleased that regard will be given to the autonomy of these institutions. Of course there must be an ultimate fallback position if an institution is failing so that something can be done about it, but given that many of them are doing well, we hope that that will not happen in many cases. We will all read every single word of what has been said in this debate to see whether further actions should be taken on Report. This was a probing amendment—it was meant to be so because that is what the Association of Colleges wanted it to be—and we shall have to consult and see what its views will be by the time we get to Report. I thank the Minister for the careful consideration that she has given to the amendment. Amendment 217 withdrawn. Amendment 218 not moved. Schedule 8 agreed. Clauses 123 and 124 agreed.