HC Deb 14 May 1990 vol 172 cc284-5W
Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science which local education authorities made applications for funding under section 210 of the Education Reform Act 1988 for displaced persons and refugees but were refused grants which(a) had reception centres-hostels for refugees and displaced people and (b) had a significant number of refugees in other accommodation; and on what grounds these applications were rejected.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The bids for funding in 1990–91 under section 210 of the Education Reform Act 1988 exceeded the total resources available. In accordance with the advice contained in the draft circular issued in July 1989 priority was given, as far as possible, to the maintenance of existing special provision. It was consequently not possible to allocate any grant in response to the applications from the London boroughs of Lambeth and Wandsworth in respect of new provision for displaced persons and refugees in reception centres-hostels and in other accommodation.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of funding granted under section 210 of the Education Reform Act 1988 for displaced people and refugees was for (a) adults and (b) children; and what proportion was for (i) English language provision and (ii) advice and careers counselling.

Mr. Alan Howarth

About half the funding in 1990–91 is for adults and about half for children. Some 90 per cent. of the funding is for teaching provision including English language provision. Advice and careers counselling account for the remainder.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proportion of funding under section 210 of the Education Reform Act 1988 was made available for refugees as opposed to travellers for the year 1990–91.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The proportion of funding to be made available for refugees in 1990–91 is some 4 per cent. of the total.

Ms. Armstrong

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what funding has been made available under section 210 of the Education Reform Act 1988 for newly arrived refugees and asylum seekers from all nationalities who are living in reception centres or other accommodation in London; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Alan Howarth

The London borough of Richmond-upon-Thames has been allocated grant to support expenditure of £54,100 in 1990–91.