To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he expects guidance regarding Clause 43 of the Violent Crime Reduction Bill to be produced; and whether such guidance will be produced by (a) his Department and (b) the Learning and Skills Council; and if he will make a statement. (96655)

Clause 43 (now clause 46) of the Violent Crime Reduction Bill is an enabling power that an FE institution may, or may not, choose to use. FE institutions (as independent organisations) are responsible for their own health and safety arrangements and it is for them to assess health and safety risks and implement the appropriate control measures. The Department has no plans to issue specific guidance to FE institutions.

However, it will make available the guidance we produce for schools which FE institutions may find helpful. The LSC similarly has no plans to issue guidance but will continue to support colleagues in FE institutions.