§ 59. Mr. D. Brookasked the Minister of Education if she is aware that the York City education authority has withdrawn all its grants for adult education in the city; and what action she proposes to take in the matter.
§ Miss HorsbrughYes, Sir. I have already told the authority that I fully agree with their policy of effecting economies but that I regret that they have taken the drastic action on which they have decided in this matter.
§ Mr. BrookBut did not the right hon. Lady say in her original circular to local authorities that she did not want them to economise on the essential fabric of education? Did not the 1944 Act lay upon local education authorities an obligation to provide adult education facilities and will she not, therefore, do something much more positive in the way of asking local authorities not to economise in this field?
§ Miss HorsbrughAs I have already said, I have communicated with the local authority. The hon. Gentleman is probably aware that there are certain direct grants from the Ministry to adult education.
§ Mr. BrookIs not the right hon. Lady aware that direct grants from the Ministry do not compensate the voluntary organisations for the loss of grant from the local education authority?
§ Miss HorsbrughIt does not compensate them because they get that in addition. The local authority contribution is in addition to the grant.