This publication is a record of the Parliamentary debate on adult education that accompanied the publication and eventual passage of the Further and Higher Education Act in Britain in March 1992, with a commentary on the development of major issues as the legislation proceeded. Chapter 1 provides a summary of the main measures of the act and identifies sections of particular importance for adult educators. Chapter 2 presents extracts of debate in both houses regarding the importance of adult learning. Where it is helpful, a brief editorial comment has been inserted to place the quoted extract in context. Chapter 3 contains extracts from ministerial replies to amendments made during the passage of the bill, together with clarifying editorial comment. The material is presented to give an indication of the policy intent behind the legislation and to illustrate ways in which the act might be implemented. These topics are considered: statutory duties, the Further Education Funding Council (FEFC) sector, FEFC operation and funding, the local education authority sector, quality, special needs, institutions in the FEFC sector, and other issues--Open College Networks, Welsh, literary tuition, prison education, and trade union education. (YLB)