Adult Literacy and Basic Skills Unit

HC Deb 08 June 1992 vol 209 cc36-7W

Sir Thomas Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Education what is the status of the adult literacy and basic skills unit; whether it has charitable status; how it is funded; and whether it publishes accounts.

Mr. Forman

The adult literacy and basic skills unit is a registered company limited by guarantee with charitable status. It is largely funded by grant from the Department for Education and the Welsh Office. The unit's accounts are published in its annual report.

Sir Thomas Arnold

To ask the Secretary of State for Education when the adult literacy and basic skills unit was formed and by whom; and how many people work within the organisation(a) full or (b) part time.

Mr. Forman

The adult literacy and basic skills unit—ALBSU—was formed in 1980 by the Secretary of State for Education and Science and the Secretary of State for Wales as an agency of the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education—NIACE. In 1991 ALBSU became independent of NIACE and is now a limited company and a registered charity. ALBSU currently employs 21 full-time and no part-time staff.