HC Deb 19 June 1984 vol 62 cc131-3
12. Mr. Willie W. Hamilton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he intends to take any new initiatives to increase opportunities for adult education with particular reference to the Open University and the Workers' Educational Association.

Mr. Brooke

We have taken a number of recent initiatives to improve opportunities for adult education, including the expansion of the PICKUP programme for developing vocational updating, launching a programme to develop educational opportunities for the adult unemployed, the increase in grant to the adult literacy and basic skills unit, and financing an adult continuing education development unit within the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education. In addition, we have agreed in principle to fund the Workers' Educational Association's proposals for tutor training. We are continuing to support the Open University's undergraduate programme, and are encouraging the university to expand its continuing education programme.

Mr. Hamilton

How does the hon. Gentleman square that answer with the fact that in the past four years the Open University's fees have doubled and that it is proposed to reduce public expenditure on adult education from £91 million to £80 million in the next three years? The Government repeatedly say that there is no more public money available to spend, so how have they managed to find more than £2,000 million to spend on a few hundred people in the Falkland Islands during the next three years?

Mr. Brooke

The hon. Gentleman has asked me several questions. I can square my answer with the hon. Gentleman's assertions, because I answered the question that he asked me to answer. The hon. Gentleman asked me about the rise in the Open University's fees. In the current year they constitute 13 per cent. of the income derived from fees and Government grant combined. There is an element of comparing apples with pears when looking at the fall from £91 million to £80 million, since there is an unallocated margin for the local authorities of £660 million in the current year, some of which I expect to be spent on adult education.

Mr. Rhodes James

Does my hon. Friend realise that the Open University represents one of the most remarkable developments in recent years? Will he pay particular attention to its concerns and its future?

Mr. Brooke

I am happy to respond to that question. I had the pleasure of seeing the vice-chancellor only last week, and I am delighted to be in frequent contact with him.

Mr. Wilson

Although I am gratified by the Minister's last answer, will he bear in mind that there is real concern in Scotland about the restriction of the Open University's role? That university offers a remarkable opportunity for adult education, and I think that both sides of the House would be grateful if the hon. Gentleman would reconsider how it could be expanded and developed for the benefit of our population.

Mr. Brooke

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Open University visiting committee to play a part in identifying and appraising the various options open to the university. They will be discussed in the coming months.

Mr. Stanbrook

Why has the adult education movement not been harnessed to assist the youth training scheme?

Mr. Brooke

That is an interesting question for which, I must confess, I am not fully prepared. However, I shall write to my hon. Friend.

Mr. Bell

Does the hon. Gentleman accept that there is serious concern on Teesside about the future of a day release course for steel workers and another course on child development? Does he realise that that concern stems from the Government's cut over three years of 14.3 per cent. in adult education? What assurances can he give that adult education choice on Teesside will not be severely limited?

Mr. Brooke

I do not immediately recognise the figure of 14.3 per cent., but I suspect that it is a reference to the extra-mural departments, which are not the subject of this question.

Mr. Cormack

Why cannot the Department come up with a slightly more felicitous phrase than "PICKUP scheme", and what does it mean, anyway?

Mr. Brooke

I sympathise with my hon. Friend's point. Like so many such words, PICKUP is an acronym and stands for "professional, industrial and commercial updating".

Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

Has the hon. Gentleman persuaded the Secretary of State to visit the Open University? Is he now prepared to pay tribute to its work, particularly in science and technology training? Have there been any discussions with the Workers' Educational Association about payments to those with an organising role as opposed to merely the provision of teaching?

Mr. Brooke

I have discussed with my right hon. Friend the pleasure that I have derived from visiting the Open University. I have received another invitation to visit a summer school during the coming year. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has made it clear that the Open University's invitation is still open. There are certain things involving the visiting committee that lie ahead of us.