§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Yeovil on 11 February concerning statistical information on literacy and numeracy problems, what is his estimate of the total number of adults with inadequate basic skills of literacy or numeracy; when a major survey of the extent of such problems in literacy and numeracy was last funded by his Department; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WaldenI refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave him on 11 February at columns 222–23.
The Department of Education and Science contributed 17 per cent. of the cost of the National Child Development Survey Study of 1981. No major surveys have been funded since that time.
Responsibility for the provision of adult basic skills tuition within the education service rests with local education authorities. My right hon. Friend looks to the adult literacy and basic skills unit to act as a central focus
585Wto assist LEAs and voluntary organisations in establishing new basic skills provision and developing existing provision in order to meet the needs of their local communities.