§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list(a) the total expenditure so far incurred in publicity and information relating to the voucher scheme for educating the under fives and (b) the amount spent in respect of each principal objective of such expenditure, indicating the body which has spent the money. [12413]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe total expenditure to date for publicity and information relating to the voucher scheme within the present financial year in both phase 1 and phase 2 is £1.8 million. This contrasts with a budgeted figure of £674 million in respect of nursery education in the first year of the scheme. All expenditure has been by the Department. There is only one principal objective for the total expenditure—to inform parents and providers about the scheme.
§ Mr. SpearingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will undertake an appraisal of the principal aspects of the scheme of vouchers for payment for pre-school education that she has introduced in London and Norfolk. [12412]
§ Mr. SquireThe Department published a report on operation of phase 1 of the nursery voucher scheme in November 1996. Copies of the report, and of a follow-up memorandum on voucher issue and redemption in the autumn terms 1996, have been placed in the Library. Chapter 11 of the report outlines our plans for assessment of the scheme over the longer term.