§ Mr. CorbettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what discussions he has had with Warwickshire county council about its decision to completely close its youth service from 1 April 1992; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AtkinsNone. I understand that a proposal is to be considered by the education committee of Warwickshire county council on 28 January to end the directly provided youth and community service, and to make such provision in future through voluntary groups, schools and colleges.
The youth service is statutorily part of further education. Section 41 of the 1944 Education Act, which is inserted under section 120 of the Education Reform Act, places a duty on loal education authorities to secure the provision of adequate facilities for further education. Section 53 of the 1944 Act places a duty on local education authorities to secure that the facilities for primary, secondary and further education provided for their area 344W include adequate facilities for recreation and social and physical training. It is for each local education authority to discharge these statutory obligations in accordance with local needs, circumstances and priorities.