§ Mr. EdwardsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement about the future funding of adult education. [3276]
§ Dr. HowellsUnder the Further and Higher Education Act 1992, statutory responsibility for securing the adequate provision of adult further education is divided between local education authorities—which are responsible for the more informal adult further education courses in their areas—and the Further Education Funding Council—which is responsible for those courses described in the Act under schedule 2 as having national394W significance, such as basic skills course, access courses and those which lead to academic or vocational qualifications.
My right hon. Friend recently announced that Professor Bob Fryer will chair a national advisory group on adult learning to advise on all issues relating to adult learning.