asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by the Lord Adonis on 14 June (WA 25), whether they have received representations from local authorities on the planning of post-16 education provision and delays in receiving funding from regional and local learning and skills councils. [HL6501]

The department has received no such representations. In addition to bringing forward the publication of the grant letter to the Learning and Skills Council, we published last October Priorities for Success, which set out our funding strategy for the next two years. The purpose of this document was to begin the 2006-07 funding allocations process with a clear and concise message on the principles that would underpin this process. The strategy made it clear that higher participation among young people must have the highest priority, alongside helping disadvantaged adults gain basic and level 2 skills for employability.