HC Deb 05 July 1983 vol 45 c69W
28. Mr. Stan Thorne

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he intends to take to extend the availability of further education to those of 16 to 19 years.

Sir Keith Joseph

The Government's expenditure plans allow in 1983–84 for a 20 per cent. increase in demand from 16 to 19-year-olds for full-time and sandwich courses in non-advanced further education compared with 1980–81. The new certificate of prevocational education at 17-plus and the new technical and vocational education initiative for the 14 to 18-year-olds, both to be available from September, should usefully extend educational opportunities, while further education colleges will be contributing substantial off-the-job education and training provision to the youth training scheme.