Vol. 372 No. 1
asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the fact that the cuts in the funding to the community education and literacy budget will severely restrict the essential work being carried out by groups such as the National Adult Literacy Agency.
627.
asked the Minister for Education the amount of State funding earmarked directly for adult literacy education in 1986; and the amount provided in 1987.
663.
asked the Minister for Education the amount provided for the national literacy agency in 1986; and the amount to be provided in 1987.
I propose to take questions Nos. 626, 627 and 663 together.
A sum of £350,000 was allocated to Vocational Education Committees in 1986 for the provision of community and literacy education free of charge or at nominal cost. The sum provided to committees for this purpose in 1987 is £400,000, an increase of £50,000 over last year's provision.
The national adult literacy association is a voluntary body founded to promote the interests of learners, tutors and organisers engaged in adult literacy activities. It is one of five voluntary bodies concerned with adult education which are in receipt of grants in aid from my Department totalling £157,000 in 1987. This provision in the area of adult education is in addition to the £400,000 referred to above. NALA received £41,500 in 1986 and £28,000 has been provided for it in 1987. I appreciate that this represents a decrease in NALA's grant-in-aid over last year's provision. Current economic circumstances are such, however, that a reduction in public expenditure is essential if the Government is to restore our public finances to a sound footing. In line with my policy of consultation with all of the groups involved in education, I propose to meet representatives of NALA shortly to discuss relevant matters with them.
