The THES Diary

Fostering ambitions

Lib Dem education spokesman Don Foster is stepping down from the Commons education subcommittee after three years to "think about the future of the party". Could this be connected with the leadership battle? The Bath MP refused to rule himself in or out of the race when Paddy Ashdown quit. Now he says: "People will have to draw their own conclusions."

Fine, here goes. It is unlikely Mr Foster would be first choice for leader, but as a respected and effective parliamentarian he could have his pick of portfolios, if he sides with the winner. The new leader would also, presumably, need an effective deputy. How's that?

Virtual statistics

A startling insight into the workings of government emerged at a press briefing with Sir Claus Moser last week. Announcing details of his report into adults' basic skills, Sir Claus cheerfully confessed to assembled journalists: "When I was in charge of government statistics, and I didn't know the answer to a statistical question, I'd always say 10 per cent. No one seems to argue with 10 per cent." Almost lost in the ensuing laughter, education minister Tessa Blackstone piped up: "And he used to teach me social statistics at the LSE."

Edith's replacement

Hopes of a down-to-earth no-nonsense replacement for disgraced European Commissioner for education, training and research Edith Cresson appear to be fading. Tipped to take over is French culture minister Catherine Trautmann, former mayor of Strasbourg. Mme Trautmann proved her outlook to be rooted in reality earlier this year, when she commented on French government plans for a "green meridian" of 10,000 trees for the millennium. Planting the first tree, she reportedly remarked: "This is a work particularly rich in symbols, not only from the point of view of aesthetics and ecology, but also from the point of view of liberty, because only the voluntary acts of Frenchmen will give it life."

The same old nag

The Educational Institute of Scotland has not been dazzled by Scottish Office claims to be putting megabucks into further education following the spending review. One of its manifesto demands for the Scottish Parliament is an immediate cash injection to get rid of college deficits. Asked whether it was fair to say "the cavalry had arrived" in terms of funding, EIS president Ronnie Smith said a more accurate metaphor would be "a horse is on its way".