§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what tendering procedures(a) are being planned and (b) have been implemented for the appointment of a voucher company for pre-school education; and when he estimates an appointment will be made. [28700]
§ Mr. AncramAdvertisements have been placed inThe Guardian, the Financial Times, the Sunday Times and the Times Educational Supplement seeking expressions of interest in tendering for the contract to administer the national phase of the nursery education voucher scheme. It is estimated that a contractor will be appointed by the end of September 1996.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he intends to publish a draft Order in Council for the proposed voucher scheme for pre-school children. [28701]
§ Mr. AncramI intend to publish a draft Order in Council, which will include provisions relating to the pre-school voucher scheme, later this year. It is not possible to give a precise date for its publication.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the administrative costs per place of the proposed voucher scheme for pre-school education. [28699]
§ Mr. AncramI am at present consulting on the Government's proposals for the operation of the pre-school voucher scheme in Northern Ireland. It would not be possible or appropriate to provide any estimate of administrative costs per place in advance of decisions arising from this consultation.