Annette Brooke (Shadow Minister, Education & Skills; Mid Dorset & North Poole, Liberal Democrat)

Clause 58(3)(c) mentions “qualifications and training” but the question has been raised with all of us whether it should say “accredited qualifications”. Will the Minister comment?

Maria Eagle (Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Children and Families), Department for Education and Skills; Liverpool, Garston, Labour)

I am not convinced that including the term “accreditation” would add anything. It raises the question: accredited by whom? The clause deals with regulations governing activities, and the qualifications that are envisaged can be set out in the regulations. That will allow an opportunity to stipulate whether qualifications should be accredited and, if so, by whom. Rather than worry about accreditation within the Bill, we should recognise that it can be dealt with in the regulations. We shall consult as to the content of the regulations after the House has considered the Bill, and that will allow people with concerns about accreditation and appropriate qualifications to have input before and after the regulations are drafted.