§ Mr. Roseasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what grants have been given to the WEA during each of the last five years; and whether she will seek to extend its contribution to the field of adult education.
§ Mr. OakesTotal grant paid to the headquarters and 17 districts of the Workers' Educational Association in the last five academic years for which final information is available was as follows:
£ 1970–71 … … … 360,600 1971–72 … … … 406,700 1972–73 … … … 462,200 1973–74 … … … 524,500 1974–75 … … … 664,900* * Includes a special grant of £36,400 to meet the deficits of certain districts at the end of the academic year. In 1975–76 the WEA was allocated exceptionally £250,000 over and above the normal rate of grant, making a currently estimated total grant of some £1.03 million, and was invited to review its provision in the light of priorities seen for (a) work in art industrial context; (b) education for the socially and culturally deprived; and (c) education in the nature and functioning of our political and social systems. The future pattern of both the WEA's work and its grant aid is being shaped by the association's response to 261W the invitation. This is currently under consideration.