§ Mr. Hancockasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what action he is taking to increase the level of participation in part-time education by full-time employees.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government fully recognise the need for the country's work force to be kept up to date with technological, social, legal and market developments and consider that the education service has a major part to play in meeting this need. They are seeking to persuade those employers who do not already do so to invest in updating their employees through the adult training campaign and to ensure that there is adequate provision in the higher and further education service to meet the increased demands to be made upon it by means of the PICKUP (professional, industrial and commercial updating) programme.
In addition, the Government have indicated to the Open University the priority they attach to science and technology and to the provision of updating courses for those employed in industry and commerce and the professions.