10:30 am
John Hayes (Shadow Minister, Innovation, Universities and Skills; South Holland and The Deepings, Conservative)
May I ask just one final question? It is a very straightforward one, and the Ministers will have the answer to hand. They will remember—indeed, it will be writ large on their memory—Andrew Foster’s advice about freeing up further education colleges from what he described as the “galaxy of oversight” bodies that regulate, monitor and advise them. We heard scepticism from the Association of Colleges and particularly from Graham Moore of the 157 Group about the Bill’s effect in respect of local education authorities. As a result of the Bill, will that “galaxy of oversight” be bigger or smaller? Will the 17 bodies that are currently involved, which Andrew Foster mentioned in his report, be fewer or greater in number as a result of the legislation?