HC Deb 20 December 1983 vol 51 cc264-5
13. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on future Government policy for adult and continuing education.

Mr. Brooke

In consultation with his right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales, my right hon. Friend has carefully considered how future developments in this important field should be promoted. He has decided not to set up a national development council. Discussions are taking place with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education and the local authority associations about the role that the institute might play in these circumstances.

Mr. Dormand

In view of the Government's pathetic record on adult and continuing education, is not the Minister's decision not to set up a development council for continuing education a clear sign that the Government have no interest in his important area? Does he agree that without such a council adult and continuing education will become virtually meaningless in the future?

Mr. Brooke

We see no prospect of funds being available to support a national development council on the scale envisaged by ACACE in the foreseeable future. We would not have been convinced of the case for channelling all central development funds into a single body even in a more favourable financial climate, bearing in mind the existence of other bodies which have a valuable contribution to make in this area and the proven success of single-purpose initiatives using existing or specially created agencies such as PICKUP and ALBSU.

Mr. Greenway

Will my hon. Friend confirm the great value of adult education in furthering people's careers by giving them retraining? Is he aware that special courses give self-dignity to the unemployed while other courses give meaning to life for the elderly and others in the community? Will he do all that he can to restore adult education to the forefront of our education system?

Mr. Brooke

Historians of the adult education movement paid tribute to the role of Baliol college, Oxford, at the turn of the century, in setting adult education on its way. As a loyal son of that house, I am delighted to be as supportive 80 years later.

Mr. Pavitt

In order to help a small and specialised area of adult education, could the Secretary of State set up a working party with the Department of Health and Social Security to consider the question of lip-reading classes for the deaf? Because of the demographic situation there is an increasing demand for that service, but because of the public expenditure cuts it is difficult to meet it.

Mr. Brooke

I will, of course, bear the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind and consult my colleagues in the other Department.

Mr. Foster

Is the Minister aware that the tremendous amount of unemployment means that the Minister's Department has a duty to make a response, particularly since many hon. Members feel that the Department opted out of the youth training scheme? Adult unemployment gives us an opportunity to give special weight to the adult education movement, but the Department is failing completely.

Mr. Brooke

We are actively considering possible ways and means of encouraging the development of suitable provision to meet the education needs of unemployed adults. I cannot say more at present. The hon. Gentleman will be aware of a statement on adult training issued by the Manpower Services Commission last month, which fully acknowledged the need for constructive partnership and co-operation between the MSC and the education service. Useful discussions have taken place between officials of the Department and of the MSC on issues of common concern.