§ 100. Dr. Kingasked the Minister of Education why she proposes to cut the grants for adult education made to the University Council for Adult Education and the Workers' Educational Association by 10 per cent.
§ 101. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Education why she has imposed a cut of 10 per cent. on the grants to adult education organisations in the next academic year; and what is the anticipated saving.
§ 107. Mr. J. Johnsonasked the Minister of Education why she has made the recent cut in the grant to the Workers' Educational Association.
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§ Miss HorsbrughMy Department's grants for this work have increased very rapidly in the period since the war. In my view it is reasonable in the present situation to propose a small reduction. The saving in a full year will be aboutf34,000.
104. Mr. Garner Evansasked the Minister of Education what steps she is taking to encourage adult education.
§ Miss HorsbrughI assume that the hon. Member refers to the general further education of adults. Local education authorities and other bodies concerned are well aware of the importance which I attach to technical and vocational education, and there has been a welcome and significant increase in the number of adults attending part-time day and evening classes in establishments of further education. In particular, there has been a rapid development of classes in foremanship and management studies. There has also been an increase in classes for liberal studies, but owing to the economic situation I have found it necessary this year to propose a reduction in my grants to voluntary bodies providing such studies.
§ 105. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Education whether her attention has been called to the opposition to the Government's plan to cut by 10 per cent. the direct grant to universities for adult education purposes; and whether she will refrain from imposing cuts which save small sums of money at the expense of education and cultural activities.
§ Miss HorsbrughThe answer to the first part of the Question is, Yes. I do not accept the implications of the second part of the Question, and I have explained the reason for making my proposals in my answer to previous Questions.
§ 106. Mr. M. MacPhersonasked the Minister of Education what consultations she held with the responsible bodies before making the recent cut of 10 per cent. in the grant for adult education payable to university extra-mural departments; and what were her reasons for doing so.
§ Miss HorsbrughOfficers of my Department held informal discussions with representatives of the Universities Council for Adult Education and of the Workers' Educational Association so that I might have a clearer idea of the probable effects 69W on the work of these bodies of any reduction in the grants paid to them by my Department. I shall be discussing my proposals further with these organisations in the very near future. On the second part of the Question I would refer the hon. Member to my answer to the hon. Member for Test (Dr. King).