HC Deb 18 April 1978 vol 948 cc230-1
3. Mr. Christopher Price

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received about the future of the adult literacy programme.

The Minister of State, Department of Education and Science (Mr. Gordon Oakes)

Since my right hon. Friend made her announcement on 5th December last about future provision for adult literacy, my Department has received 80 letters, of which 33 were from hon. Members.

Mr. Price

Does not my hon. Friend agree that those letters represent considerable concern about the whole future of the adult literacy programme? Could he tell us what arrangements he is making, now that central funding has ceased, to monitor the effects, particularly among local authorities that are refusing to continue provision of this service or to help the voluntary bodies which have tremendous experience in this area? If they fall down on their job, what will my hon Friend do about it?

Mr. Oakes

We are keeping a constant watch, but I should make clear that Government involvement has not ceased. It has been transferred to local authorities, where it belongs. The provision of £1.3 million was made in the rate support grant and I am pleased to tell the House that, on the whole, local authorities are carrying out their obligations in regard to adult literacy.

Miss Fookes

Does the Minister appreciate that many local authorities are finding it difficult to continue the service? What about the position of voluntary organisations which are running schemes and can see the money running out on them?

Mr. Oakes

We are making provision to help some of the voluntary bodies, as are local education authorities. I have three instances of schemes in Avon, Birmingham and the Wirral where voluntary schemes have been taken over by local authorities. That is the proper way to proceed.

Mr. Ronald Atkins

Does my hon. Friend agree that money devoted to this sort of education—what one might call the lower end—probably brings greater returns in terms of human happiness and usefulness than any other education expenditure?

Mr. Oakes

I entirely agree with my hon. Friend. We estimate that about 150,000 students have benefited from the provisions of the scheme since 1975. We have had enormous co-operation from volunteers and from BBC programmes such as "On the Move". It has been a great success.

Mr. Rhodes James

Is the Minister aware that the Cambridge reading project, which has done admirable work on adult literacy in my constituency, has been deprived of its central funding and that the county council, as a result of cuts in the rate support grant and the new distribution formula, is finding it very difficult to make up the deficiency? Can the hon. Gentleman give some personal involvement in this matter?

Mr. Oakes

The project's first application should be to the local education authority, but if the hon. Gentleman will write to me I shall look into the matter to see whether I can help.