(This note is not part of the Order)
This Order is the first Commencement Order made by the Welsh Ministers under the Further Education and Training Act 2007(1) and brings into force section 18(5) of that Act on 23 December 2007. Section 18(5) makes provision for the Welsh Ministers to prepare a statement of policy with respect to the exercise of their powers under section 57 of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992(2) (“the 1992 Act”), keep the statement under review and, if they consider it appropriate, revise the statement. Section 18(5) also provides that the Welsh Ministers must, when preparing or revising such a statement, undertake such consultation as they think appropriate and consider any representations made to them about the policy to be set out in the statement. The Welsh Ministers must also lay the statement (or revised statement) before the National Assembly for Wales, publish such statement (or revised statement) and have regard to the most recently published statement in exercising (or deciding whether to exercise) any of their powers under section 57 of the 1992 Act in relation to an institution.