asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if any further companies have been approached by his Department to fund city technology colleges; and how many companies have now expressed a willingness to provide funding.

The Department has made no entirely fresh approaches to companies since I replied to the hon. Member on 27 February, at column 424, although further progress has been made with some of those which were already discussing the proposals. The answer which I then gave, that I would not confirm offers of support for city technology colleges until sponsors were ready to make their decision public, is still the case.