HC Deb 06 March 1984 vol 55 cc720-1
5. Mr. Dormand

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what additional grant he is making to adult and continuing education for the academic years 1984–85 to 1986–87.

The Under-Secretary of State for Education and Science (Mr. Peter Brooke)

Current expenditure plans include total direct grants for adult and continuing education of £14.7 million in the financial year 1984–85, £15.8 million in 1985–86 and £16.3 million in 1986–87. These figures represent cash increases of about 14 per cent., 22 per cent. and 26 per cent. respectively over forecast expenditure of £12.9 million in the current financial year.

Mr. Dormand

How does the Minister reconcile the reduction of 27 per cent. in these years in the teaching cost subsidy in the university departments with the request by the Department of Education and Science to those departments to maintain the programmes at their present levels? Does not the Minister realise that the Government are destroying the valuable work being done in adult and continuing education, not least for the unemployed and for people who are desperate for a second opportunity in education?

Mr. Brooke

In my main answer I explained that there was a net cash increase in the three years concerned, but I acknowledge, in the context of the hon. Member's question, that there is a reduction in the extramural departments. Overall, programmes need not be reduced if fees to students are increased, academic staff are used in a more cost-effective way, and course provision is rationalised. The three-year horizon gives time for careful planning.

Mr. Squire

Will my hon. Friend confirm the recent decision to cut the £18,000 grant to the Educational Centres Association from 1985 and eliminate it by 1988? Is my hon. Friend aware that for the past 60 years or more this association has promoted adult education through student participation, also known as self-help? Is our economic plight so serious that such sums need to be cut?

Mr. Brooke

Grants to the national associations for 1984–85 and an indication of future levels of funding will be announced by the Department later in the month. Officials have discussed grant with the ECA, which has only one quarter of the membership of education centres. The association's objectives are insufficiently central to the Department's main concerns to merit a continuation of current pump priming grant. A phased reduction will be made over three years, starting in 1985–86.

Mr. Radice

Will the hon. Gentleman confirm that the UGC working party has said that continuing education could be as important as research and teaching in higher education, and that extra resources should be provided? Does the Minister agree with the UGC working party?

Mr. Brooke

The UGC working party's report and recommendations have been received in the Department and are under review.