§ Mr. Buchanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what consideration he has given to the level of funding from his Department to the Workers Educational Association in (a) Scotland and (b) Strathclyde; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. John MacKayCentral funding to the WEA in Scotland has risen in real terms by more than 37 per cent. since 1979. Additionally, a supplementary payment exceeding £24,500 was made last year to clear accumulated deficits on the understanding that for the future the association would plan to match expenditure against income. I shall take into account whether or not the association has achieved this objective when considering the applications for grant aid for 1987–88 from the three Scottish districts including the West of Scotland district. The association will be informed of the outcome in April.