§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, pursuant to the Government's policy of revitalising the economy, he will take steps to expand retraining and educational facilities for adults.
§ Dr. BoysonIt is for local education authorities to determine, in the light of the needs and resources of their area, what provision they can make, or help to make, for the education of adults. My right hon. and learned Friend has, however, recently announced his decision to provide Government support of some £½ million in 1980–81 for a central unit designed to provide a focus for the development of work in literacy and other basic skills, without which people are impeded from even being considered for employment. I understand from the Manpower Services Commission, which is responsible for the provision of training for employment, that it is keeping its344W training programme under review in the light of the resources available to it, and the needs of the labour market.
§ Mr. Haynesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if, in view of the cutback in adult education in many parts of the United Kingdom which is impairing the service, he will set up a working party to review the long-term future of adult education.
§ Dr. BoysonMy right hon. and learned Friend has recently extended the term of office of the Advisory Council for Adult and Continuing Education, whose remit includes both the review of current practice and the development of future policies and priorities for the education of adults. He awaits with interest the reports on these questions due to be presented to him this autumn.