§ Ms HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) if he will make a statement about the music, art and drama content in after-school clubs; [83591]
49W(2) what plans he has to increase the opportunities for children to engage in music, arts and drama by an expansion of after-school clubs. [83592]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Government want all young people to have access to a range of out-of-school hours activities, including music, arts and drama. The Government's vision is set out in "Extending opportunity: a national framework for study support" published last year. £80 million of Standards Fund money will be made available from April 2000 for the development of study support activities throughout England. In addition, £425 million of lottery money is being made available through the New Opportunities Fund (NOF) over the next four years to support the expansion of out-of-school hours activities—both education and child care. The policy directions issued by my right hon. Friend the Culture Secretary make clear that music, art and drama activities are included within the framework of activities that NOF can fund.