§ Mr. Freemanasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is satisfied with progress on the three-year Replan programme to widen education opportunities for the unemployed.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Replan programme, announced in March 1984, aims to encourage the development of suitable educational opportunities for unemployed adults in England and Wales by evaluating innovative provision, identifying and disseminating good practice, and promoting collaboration between relevant agencies, statutory and voluntary. Some 60 development projects have been approved for funding; regional staff development programmes involving some 2,000 participants have taken place; and education support grants have been offered to over 50 local education authorities in England and Wales for projects due to commence in 1985–86 and concerned with the planning, co-ordination and development of provision for the unemployed. I am satisfied with the start which the programme has made.
94WA central role is being played by a team of field officers which is now complete, the majority of its members having been in post since January.