Computers in Schools

HC Deb 27 November 1984 vol 68 cc433-4W

Mr. Evennett

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much his Department has spent in each of the last three years on computers in schools.

Mr. Butcher

The Department of Education and Science has no responsibility for the purchase of equipment by individual schools as such—spending is primarily a matter for individual local authorities. The DES has been able, however, through the microelectronics education programme, to provide software development and teacher training support for the introduction of microcomputers.

The Department of Trade and Industry, however, has run three schemes during the period in question under which schools have been able to apply for a 50 per cent. grant towards the purchase of a set of computer equipment.

The cost of each of these three schemes, the first of which began in 1981, is as follows:

Micros in schools scheme (for secondary schools)
1981–82 £ million	1982–83 £ million	1983–84 £ million
1.2	1.8	0.4

Micros in primary schools
1982–83 £ million	1983–84 £ million	*1984–85 £ million
1.5	5.5	1.4

Micros in schools extension scheme
1983–84 £	*1984–85 £
850,000	785,000
* To date.