asked Her Majesty's Government:What decisions they have reached, following their discussions with the TUC, on the compensation arrangements for staff affected by the abolition of the GLC and the metropolitan county councils.

I have discussed staffing issues relating to the Local Government Act 1985 with the TUC Local Government Committee, the AMA, and the London and Metropolitan Government Staff Commission. We have also received many responses and representations from other bodies and from many individuals on these matters.In the light of the views we have received, we have now decided the package of measures which will apply to the staff affected by abolition. I have today written to the TUC, enclosing a note summarising the main features of the package. I am arranging for copies of this letter and the note to be placed in the Library. I have also written to the AMA and to the Staff Commission; and arrangements are being made to send copies of the announcement to all the authorities, associations and unions concerned.In the Government's view, this package represents a fair balance between, on the one side, the interests of the ratepayers in the metropolitan areas who will ultimately bear the costs, and, on the other, those of the staff concerned, who are faced by the disruption of their careers by the abolition of seven major employers. In making these decisions the Government have had strict regard to the unique circumstances of abolition.The Government now look to all of those concerned to ensure that the staff involved are as fully and speedily informed as possible about where they stand under these new arrangements, and we expect the expiring authorities, the borough and district councils and the unions now to work together towards a smooth redeployment of staff into the reorganised structure of local government in the metropolitan areas.

asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the priorities of the Department of Education and Science for the Further Education Unit and the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education in allocating grant-aid to innovatory educational projects for unemployed people in 1986–87 as part of the REPLAN programme.

Both the Further Education Unit and the National Institute for Adult Continuing Education issued criteria for their respective REPLAN projects programmes for 1984–85 and 1985–86, and copies have been deposited in the Library. To date, the unit has approved 17 projects and the institute 46. Of those still in progress nearly all are scheduled to receive funding for part or all of the financial year 1986–87. The future of the REPLAN programme beyond 1987 is at present being considered by my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science, and the total funds to be made available for new development projects in 1986–87 together with the priorities for their allocation will fall to be considered in the light of his decision.