§ 21. Mr. Ian Gilmourasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will take steps to prevent the curtailment of the activities of the Workers' Educational Association.
§ Mr. CroslandI do not understand this Question.
As I announced in the House on 11th March, the Government have provided £30,000 of additional funds to enable the responsible bodies, including the Workers' Educational Association districts, to expand their work in the present Session.
§ Mr. GilmourI am sorry that the Secretary of State does not understand the Question. Is he aware that one of the branches in my constituency will probably have to suspend a course of lectures, for the first time since 1942, because of shortage of funds?
§ Mr. CroslandI am aware that the eastern district in particular has got itself into a very difficult position, fundamentally because it decided to go on expanding at a time when the hon. Gentleman's right hon. Friend was refusing it the money to do so. I sympathise with its motives for going on, but the fact is that it did go on expanding without any assurance about the money. We have now offered £1,000 towards its deficit. As soon as it fills its vacant two full-time posts, we shall consider increasing the grant aid further, but I think that is the limit to what we can do at the moment.
§ Mr. Ioan L. EvansDoes my right hon. Friend agree that the W.E.A. does a grand job in education? Will he endeavour not only to prevent the curtailment of its activities but also to ensure that the organisation is expanded and encouraged in the future?
§ Mr. CroslandThe W.E.A. does a grand job, I entirely agree. I want to make it quite clear that there is no question of curtailment. We gave another £30,000 this year for an actual expansion in the work of the responsible bodies, quite apart from any increase in costs and salaries.