§ 9. Mr. Grimondasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will appoint a committee to inquire into adult education in Scotland.
§ The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Henderson Stewart)No, Sir. The Advisory Council on Education in Scotland considered adult education as part of their remit on further education. Their report was published last year, and my right hon. Friend has made new grant Regulations and a new Further Education Code which, among other things, give effect to their recommendations about adult education. He does not consider that any further inquiry is necessary at present.
§ Mr. GrimondWhile appreciating what has been done and the reports that have 1655 been made, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he agrees that there is a great opportunity of extending adult education in Scotland, and whether at this time, when adult education is under review in England, it would be well to take a fresh view of it in Scotland at the same time?
§ Mr. StewartI do not think it is necessary that we should take a fresh view, because we have only recently had a fresh recommendation. We are fully aware of the need, and we share the hon. Gentleman's view, and we are doing everything we can to extend adult education.