HC Deb 28 April 1993 vol 223 c407W
Mr. Gareth Wardell

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what arrangements he has made for the Further Education Funding Council to provide funding for the teaching of communication skills to adults with severe learning difficulties.

Sir Wyn Roberts

Schedule 2 to the Further and Higher Education Act 1992 lists the courses of further education which the Further Education Funding Council for Wales is expected to secure. This includes courses to teach independent living and communication skills to persons having learning difficulties and which prepare them for entry to further courses of study within schedule 2.

In his letter of guidance to the chairman of the funding council, my right hon. Friend drew attention to the council's specific duty to have regard to the requirements of students with all types of disability. The council should aim to ensure, so far as is consistent with its duties under the Act, that learning difficulties are no bar to access to further education.

In allocating resources to further education providers, the council has drawn specific attention to the requirement to have regard to the interests of adults who have basic educational needs.