§ Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are currently involved in the lower attaining pupils programme; what is the total cost of the programme to both central and local Government; and if he will make a statement.
53W
§ Mr. Chris PattenSome 5,500 pupils participated in the lower attaining pupils' programme in the academic year 1984–85 and about 11,000 in 1985–86.
The programme provides for total expenditure of about £3 million a year to be supported through the urban programme. The local education authorities involved bear 25 per cent. of the cost of their projects. Seventy five per cent. is borne by central Government, supplemented in the case of two projects by funds of the European Community transition to work programme. The Government strongly support the lower attaining pupils' programme, which aims to provide a more effective education for those pupils, mostly aged 14–16, who were deriving little benefit from school. An open day was held recently at Warwick university to disseminate the interim findings of the programme to a wide range of educational interests. I enclose a copy of the speech made by my right hon. Friend on that occasion.