§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what financial contribution his Department has made towards the costs of the Arts Council for England interim scheme for students of dance and drama; and what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of this expenditure. [15599]
§ Dr. HowellsI have been asked to reply.
The Department will be contributing a minimum of £9 million of new funds to the interim bursary scheme over the four academic years the scheme will run. £15 million has been made available in the current year. We are currently assessing the impact of the scheme with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the Arts Council of England.