To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what reasons underlay the exclusion of further education college lecturers from the Laptops for Teachers initiative; and what plans he has to extend the scheme. [124325]

The further education sector is covered by its own initiatives, which receive separate funding. A scheme similar to the Laptops for Teachers initiative, Computers for Further Education Teachers, began in 2001–02. A total of 3,952 Further Education teachers benefited from this £3 million scheme. The 2002–03 Laptops for Further Education Staff Scheme is more flexible, easier for colleges to administer and allows more staff to benefit. These benefits are being evaluated as part of the National Learning Network evaluation and decisions about future funding are being discussed with the Learning and Skills Council, who are responsible for administering the scheme.