HC Deb 08 December 1980 vol 995 cc292-3W
Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) if he will publish details of the local education authorities which give concessions from evening class course fees to retirement pensioners, those on supplementary benefit, the unemployed and the handicapped, respectively;

(2) if he will list the average fees charged by each local education authority for vocational and non-vocational evening class courses, respectively;

(3) what advice or guidance he gives to local education authorities regarding reduced fees for evening class courses for retirement pensioners, those on supplementary benefit, the unemployed and the handicapped.

Dr. Boyson

It is for local education authorities to determine what level of fee to charge for the evening [asses they provide and what concessionary rates to offer. My Department does not collect information on these points. My right hon. and learned Friend has expressed the hope that authorities will, in determining these levels, take full account of the needs and problems of financially, socially or educationally disadvantaged groups in their areas.