The next group of amendments is group 17. And this group of amendments relates to adult community learning. Amendment 112 is the lead amendment in the group, and I call on Laura Jones to move this amendment. 

Amendment 112 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Diolch, Llywydd. I want to speak to all the amendments in this group. Amendment 112 exists to ensure that adult community learning is included within the definition of tertiary education and to actually make the definition of adult community learning properly function within the Bill. Further to this, amendments 115 and 117 are linked to amendments 112 and 113, and will further serve to ensure that adult community learning is included within the Bill's definition of the term.

Adult community learning is essential if we are to ensure, when the opportunity arises for the creation of higher skilled jobs in Wales, that we are able to take advantage of them. We need to ensure that aspiration and opportunity aren't only available to our young people, although the Minister knows this is an area where he needs to do extensive work. Working parents want to be able to take the next step on the ladder of their career and want to improve their qualifications or learn a new skill. In many cases, this would be their first formal qualification.

Whilst the Minister is unlikely to accept these amendments today, I would urge him and his department to look at adult community learning so that it fully meets the needs of communities and that those who want to achieve can.

Amendment 113, on the other hand, will simply mean that 'entry level' is clearly defined within the Bill, which is a necessary amendment, in my view, for clarity within the legislation, and I ask Members to consider this. Diolch.

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.

Laura Jones to respond.

Diolch, Llywydd. Minister, thank you for providing more clarity and for what you've added already, but further clarity within a Bill is never a bad thing. The only purpose I can imagine to refuse it is to retain deliberate ambiguity within elements of the Bill, which, in this instance, is leading to the omission of adult community learning where I truly believe it should be present, and I ask Members to consider this. Diolch.

The question is that amendment 112 be agreed. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes, there is objection. We will move to a vote on amendment 112. Open the vote. 

Amendment 112.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against. Therefore amendment 112 is not agreed.

Amendment 112: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Amendment 114, Laura Jones. Is it moved?

Amendment 114 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Move.

It is. Are there any objections? [Objection.] There are. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 114.

Open the vote on amendment 114.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against. And therefore the amendment is not agreed.

Amendment 114: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Laura Jones, amendment 113. Is it moved?

Amendment 113 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Move.

It is. Are there any objections to the amendment? [Objection.] There are. We will move to a vote on amendment 113.

Amendment 113.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against, therefore amendment 113 is not agreed.

Amendment 113: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Minister, amendment 67—is it moved?

Amendment 67 (Jeremy Miles) moved.

Yes.

Are there any objections to amendment 67? There are none, therefore amendment 67 is agreed. 

Amendment agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Laura Jones, amendment 115—is it moved?

Amendment 115 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Moved. 

It is. Are there any objections? [Objection.] Yes. We will therefore move to a vote on amendment 115. 

Open the vote, amendment 115.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against, therefore amendment 115 is not agreed. 

Amendment 115: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Amendment 116, Laura Jones—is it moved?

Amendment 116 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Moved. 

It is. Are there any objections? [Objection.] There are. We'll therefore move to a vote on amendment 116. Open the vote. 

Amendment 116.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against. Amendment 116 is not agreed. 

Amendment 116: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Amendment 117, Laura Jones—is it moved?

Amendment 117 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

Moved. 

Are there any objections to amendment 117? [Objection.] There are. We will move to a vote on amendment 117. Open the vote. 

Amendment 117.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against, and therefore amendment 117 is not agreed. 

Amendment 117: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected

Minister, amendment 68—is it moved?

Amendment 68 (Jeremy Miles) moved.

Yes.

The question is that amendment 68 be agreed. There is no objection, therefore amendment 68 is agreed. 

Amendment agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 69, Minister—is it moved?

Amendment 69 (Jeremy Miles) moved.

Yes. 

Are there any objections to amendment 69? No. Amendment 69 is therefore agreed. 

Amendment agreed in accordance with Standing Order 12.36.

Amendment 118, Laura Jones—is it moved?

Amendment 118 (Laura Anne Jones) moved.

I move. 

The question is that amendment 118 be agreed to. Does any Member object? [Objection.] Yes. We'll move to a vote on amendment 118. Open the vote. 

Amendment 118.

Close the vote. In favour 15, no abstentions, 38 against. Therefore amendment 118 is not agreed. 

Amendment 118: For: 15, Against: 38, Abstain: 0

Amendment has been rejected