§ Annabelle EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if she will make a statement on the reason for the delay in the payment of Leonardo da Vinci monthly programme grants by the UK Leonardo Unit. [63686]
§ Margaret Hodge[holding answer 21 June 2002]The Agencies which administer the Leonardo da Vinci programme in the UK on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills have not been able to enter into formal contracts for 2002 projects because of delays in agreeing contracts with and receiving funding from the European Commission. I understand that funding should be available soon and I hope that this will enable contracts to be agreed and payments made for specific projects shortly afterwards.