§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportions of the adult population since leaving school (a) have had no further education or training, (b) are continuing their education and (c) have had some form of further education or training at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. William SheltonThe general household survey carried out by the Office of Population Censuses and Surveys indicates that in 1980(a) 52 per cent. of 16 to 49-year-olds in Great Britain had had no further education since leaving school, (b) 6 per cent. were continuing their education and (c) 41 per cent. had had further or higher education. These figures exclude attendance at leisure classes, in-service training courses run by employers and certain other types of training.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement in his Department's policy towards adult education.
§ Mr. William SheltonWe are now considering the report "Continuing Education: from policies to practice"300W from the Advisory Council for Adult Continuing Education on the policies and priorities necessary to form a coherent framework for the development of this increasingly important area of education. In the past, we have referred frequently in the House to the importance we attach to maintaining, and where possible, improving opportunities for adults to further their education within current expenditure constraints, and I refer to my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Ealing, North (Mr. Greenway) on 19 January 1982.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has received a copy of the report "Continuing Education: from policies to practice" from the Advisory Council for Adult and Continuing Education; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. William SheltonMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has only recently received a copy of this comprehensive and wide-ranging report, which puts forward proposals for the development of continuing education during the next 20 years. It merits careful and measured consideration, not only by central Government, but by all concerned with this important area of education. At this time I can say only that we appreciate the work which has gone into its preparation but can offer little prospect of the substantial additional funding sought.