§ 5. Mr. Campbell-Savoursasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will review the level of his Department's support for the Workers Education Association and further education within the county of Cumbria.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Peter Brooke)No, Sir. The levels of support for WEA districts have been established nationally following a review at the end of 1983, and local levels have been determined in that context. The level of provision accorded to adult and further education within the authority's education service is largely a matter for the local education authority to decide, although for advanced further education my right hon. Friend makes allocations from the advanced further education pool in the light of advice from the National Advisory Body for Local Authority Higher Education. We are currently awaiting advice on the 1985–86 pool allocations.
§ Mr. Campbell-SavoursIs the Minister aware that the 8.3 per cent. cut imposed on the WEA in the county of Cumbria leaves it in a desperate position? How is it possible for the Government to tell the WEA to raise its fees when on the other hand they are advising it that its role is to support the disadvantaged element in our community? Is it that the Government wish the disadvantaged simply to pay more?
§ Mr. BrookeThe hon. Gentleman is a little misinformed. The 8.3 per cent. is a national figure over three years. The cut for the northern district, in which Cumbria falls, is 2 per cent. in real terms.