HC Deb 02 March 1976 vol 906 cc1080-1
6. Mr. Bryan Davies

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to maintain the level of provision of adult education.

Mr. Gerry Fowler

The rate support grant settlement for 1976–77 provides for the maintenance of standards in the adult and other education services. It is for local authorities individually to decide their own patterns of expenditure, but I hope they will base their decisions on the advice given in the joint circular of 31st December 1975.

Mr. Davies

Whilst accepting my hon. Friend's answer, I am sure that he will appreciate the savaging of adult education budgets and the doubling of fees in recent months. Is there not some merit in the proposition put to him by the Principal of Ruskin College, that a national council should be formed to safeguard the development of adult education?

Mr. Fowler

It is not obvious that the establishment of an institution in the form of a national council would have any direct impact on the policies of local education authorities. I hope that local education authorities will observe the advice given in the circular and ensure that any cuts they make do not bear disproportionately on adult education.

Mrs. Bain

I recognise that local authorities have a great deal of say in such decisions. Does the Minister intend to take steps to prevent them from doing what the Strathclyde Region has done, namely, to open a technical college in my constituency on one day and to close it on the same day?

Mr. Fowler

I am happy to say that there has been no parallel to that action in England and Wales. I suggest that the hon. Lady would address her question with profit, to the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Dr. Hampson

Is the 16–19 age group "adult", or still regarded as at the end of the school period? Is it not time for us to regard adults and further education together, and for the Department, instead of having conferences on the matter, to work with the Department of Employment and use some of its money to improve the provision for adult training and retraining?

Mr. Fowler

I note with interest the hon. Gentleman's desire to increase the resources available to my Department at the cost of another Department of State.

Dr. Hampson

Transfer resources.

Mr. Fowler

The hon. Gentleman knows that this is a complex matter. There is an overlap between schools and further education in the 16–19 age group, and between the 16–19 age group and adult education. This is a complex matter, to which we give continued study.