I want to reiterate the importance that I place on adult learning, on lifelong learning, and making sure that Wales is a nation of second chances where it's never too late to learn, and the provisions in this Bill, which already capture adult community learning, are critical to achieving this. So, whilst I understand the intention behind the amendments in this group, I can't support them as they are not necessary, and they do not add anything to the Bill or the way in which it operates.

Amendment 117 adds 'adult community learning' to the definition of tertiary education. This is unnecessary as it is already covered as part of that definition as read with sections 141(2), (4) and (5).

Amendments 112, 113 and 115, which I also reject, relate to the definition of adult community learning. As I have said, this is unnecessary as adult community learning is already captured within the existing definitions.

Working with our external reference group for adult learning, we are already testing and designing exciting approaches to making that second-chance nation a reality. This includes a programme of national co-ordination and actions, already working to make real our commitment to lifelong learning as expressed in the strategic duties and elsewhere in the Bill. The definition of adult community learning also relies on the definition of 'level 2' in section 93 of the Bill, which has been removed following the agreement of my amendments 39, 40 and 41 in group 12.

The Bill does not include express provision in relation to adult community learning given that it is already encompassed by the definition of tertiary education in the Bill. The commission's duty to secure the provision of reasonable facilities for education and training for persons over 19, pursuant to section 94, would encompass the provision of adult community learning. In addition, the further education and training covered by the commission's duty in section 93 to provide proper facilities could, subject to regulations being made under section 93(3), also include adult community learning.

As I stated when discussing the proposed amendments defining degree apprenticeships in an earlier group, defining adult community learning separately to further education and training risks ambiguity as to whether or not adult community learning is within the scope of the many references to further education and training elsewhere in the Bill, and so I call on Members to reject all the amendments in this group.