asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what arrangements exist within his Department, within the central headquarters or in any regional or sub-regional organisations, for dealing with his responsibilities regarding public services or any other function in respect of the Greater London area; and how many full-time equivalent staff are involved in such work.

The staff are deployed for the most part according to the nature of the function, not according to the local education authority involved. It is therefore not possible to identify the number of full-time equivalent staff involved in work concerning the exercise of my right hon. Friend's responsibilities as they affect the Greater London area.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science with which Departments, and non-departmental bodies his Department and its related non-departmental public bodies has consulted during 1986–87 in respect of services provided within Greater London; approximately how often such consultations have taken place; and what issues were discussed.

The Department consults constantly with a wide range of bodies on a wide range of issues.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether there are any proposals to change the arrangements for discharging his Department's responsibilities regarding public services or any other function in respect of the Greater London area during the forthcoming year.

My right hon. Friend has no plans to change the present arrangements.