§ Mr. Welshasked the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what efforts he proposes to make to ensure that the funds now available for meeting the problem of adult illiteracy are used in full;
(2) what is his policy with regard to schemes and organisations to eliminate adult illiteracy.
§ Mr. William RossThe Government wish to assist education authorities and voluntary bodies in developing literacy projects, and to this end my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education and Science and I have made available during this and the next financial year an additional sum of £1 million. This will be administered by the Adult Literacy Resources Agency which has been established by the National Institute of Adult Education at the Government's invitation. Scotland's share is £100,000, and a Scottish Advisory Committee, on which my Department is represented, has been set up to consider applications from authorities and voluntary bodies in Scotland and to advise the agency on assistance to them. The Scottish Advisory Committee has now met twice and will shortly invite applications. I am confident that the Scottish share of the funds will be fully used.