§ Mr. Bill Rammell (Harlow)I have pleasure in presenting a petition on behalf of my Harlow constituents, who are outraged at the enormous cuts that Essex county council has inflicted on their music schools. This petition is in addition to one with 5,000 signatures, which has already been presented to Essex county council.
The petition states:
The Petition of friends and users of the Harlow Music SchoolsDeclares that Essex County Council have cut the funding of the Harlow Music Schools, via the Harlow Youth Arts Partnership, from £97,000 two years ago to £21,615 in 1998–99.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons urge the Secretary of State for Education and Employment to note the petition to Essex County Council signed by approximately 5,000 people, and take urgent action to protect and promote music education.I welcome the fact that the Government are looking at the funding mechanism, and urge them to take account of the position in Essex in so doing.