§ Mr. HinchliffeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what level of grant has been allocated to the Workers Educational Association on an annual basis from 1979 to the present day; what the projected support for the Workers Educational Association will be to 1990–91; and what future role he sees the Workers Educational Association playing in adult education.
Mr. JacksonGrants made by the Department to the Workers' Educational Association (WEA) districts in England in the academic years 1979–80 to date are set out in the table.
Grants to Workers' Educational Association districts in academic years £ million 1979–80 1.129 1980–81 1.447 1981–82 1.970 1982–83 2.209 1983–84 2.405 1984–85 2.516 1985–86 2.437 1986–87 2.431 1987–88 12.497 1 Allocation. Grants are also paid to the WEA national office to assist in the monitoring and promotion of WEA provision generally. Details of the amounts paid in the financial years 1979–80 to date are set out in the table.
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Grants to WEA National Office in financial years £ million 1979–80 0.038 1980–81 0.043 1981–82 0.043 1982–83 0.045 1983–84 0.045 1984–85 0.047 1985–86 0.056 1986–87 0.050 1987–88 0.081 1988–89 10.052 1 Allocation. Since 1985–86 the Department has in addition made grants to the WEA for the in-service training of staff, as follows:
Financial year £ million 1985–86 0.050 1986–87 0.052 1987–88 0.054 1988–89 10.055 1 Allocation. Grant allocations are made on an annual basis and my right hon. Friend is not therefore in a position to state what the support for the WEA will be for the years to 1990–91.
The WEA has asked the Department to review the role and resourcing of the association. Officials are currently discussing with the WEA how this might best be done.