§ Mr. Whiteheadasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if she will make a statement on future grant to the Workers' Educational Association.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsIn November 1975, my predecessor invited the WEA to review its rôle in the light of priorities he saw, and which I fully endorse, for education for the socially and culturally deprived; work in an industrial context; and education in the nature and function-696W ing of our social and political system. The WEA has accepted the challenge of shifting the emphasis of its work towards these areas of work. I have now agreed, on the basis of its detailed proposals and subject to parliamentary approval, to increase the grant to the association by about £100,000, and to amend the regulations to allow this to be applied to non-teaching as well as teaching costs so that this work can be adequately funded. I shall also be meeting the deficits of the WEA districts in the current financial year.