To ask the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the planned programme for the conclusion of the technical and vocational education initiative.

The technical and vocational educational initiative (TVEI) is a 10-year programme, running from 1987 to 1997, in which education authorities participate for up to seven years. Some authorities are nearing the end of their contracts. The Department is working with these authorities on the development of plans for assimilating the lessons of TVEI and will continue to include them in any arrangements for disseminating information or other outcomes from the national programme, and to encourage the continuation of networking arrangements.