asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what was the expenditure on adult education, excluding grants for longterm residential colleges, last year; and what is to be the ceiling on such expenditure this year.

Grants from my Department towards adult education, excluding the residential colleges, totalled £816,460 in 1963–64 and are estimated at £868,750 in 1964–65.

As costs are rising, does not this mean an actual contraction, or at least a virtual standstill, in adult education at the very time when the Government are promising a big expansion in education? Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that, as a result, in some areas the number of classes has had to be slashed? As the total expenditure involved is only 1/10th per cent of all Government education expenditure, will he consider abandoning this year's ceiling?

No, Sir. The Estimates for this year were designed to retain the expansion authorised and attained in 1963–64. In view of what the hon. Gentleman has suggested about increased costs, I should say that in addition to the figures which I gave, a recent salary award will, of course, be the subject of a Supplementary Estimate to take account of increased salaries.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been dismay in the adult education world because of the Government's action, not so much this year, perhaps, as in resisting any sort of expansion for next year? Will he seriously reconsider this matter before the Estimates for next year are considered?

There has been no decision about next year that I am aware of. I am, of course, aware of the criticism of what was done this year, but even so, it does not do to overstate the case. It does not involve a contraction. It involves holding the expansion of the previous year.