§ Paddy AshdownTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the annual levels of full fees were at independent schools in England and Wales which participated in the former assisted places scheme in the last year of its operation; what the average per capita funding was of pupils in maintained schools in the same year; and if he will make a statement. [128790]
§ Ms Estelle MorrisThe last year in which children could take up assisted places was academic year 1997–98. Existing assisted pupils will continue to hold their places until the end of their current phase of education. The average day tuition fee charged by schools in England for assisted pupils in 1997–98 was £4,598. The average cost to my Department of an assisted place in that year was £4,082 when parental contributions are taken into account. The unit cost of a maintained secondary place in England in 1997–98 was £2,359.
Figures for Wales are the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales.