§ 1. Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the recommendations contained in the Age Concern Scotland working party report on retirement education in Scotland; and whether he proposes to implement any of the recommendations.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Alexander Fletcher)The recommendations addressed to my right hon. Friend are being considered, and it would be premature for me to comment upon them at this stage.
§ Mr. FoulkesThat is a disappointing reply. Does the Minister accept that in reality it will be extremely difficult either for the Government or, more important, local authorities and voluntary organisations to carry out any of the recommendations because of the cutbacks that We Government are imposing on the education budgets and community education budgets of regional councils and, above all, their effects on the voluntary organisations?
§ Mr. FletcherThe introduction to the report says:
We hope that all the organisations to whom the report is addressed will give it careful consideration".The report was published in May, and we are now giving it careful consideration.