To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what steps he is taking to widen participation in lifelong learning following the publication of the Kennedy report. [7127]

[holding answer 9 July 1997]: The Further Education Funding Council is consulting widely about Helena Kennedy's report to it and we will consider carefully the views expressed and advice from others, including the Advisory Group on Continuing Education and Lifelong Learning chaired by Professor Bob Fryer. Our plans for widening participation will be set out in a White Paper on Lifelong Learning in the Autumn.