HC Deb 07 November 2002 vol 392 cc718-9W
Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what the estimated annual cost is of the Connexions card; and what the card has cost so far. [79123]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: The Connexions Card contract is valued at £109.7m over seven years.

Due to the agreed implementation plan the annual cost of the Card is not a fixed amount per annum. The £109.7m is spread as follows (these figures are subject to annual review);

Financial Year 01–02 02–03 03–4 04–5 05–6 06–7 07–8 08–9
Annual Budget (£m) 14.5 15.5 14.5 14.0 13.6 13.6 13.1 10.9

To date, the Card has cost £18.9m.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, which third party organisations and companies have(a) received and (b) bought information contained on the Connexions card. [79124]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: Only the Connexions Service has received information contained on the Connexions Card. No third party organisation or company has bought information contained on the Connexions Card.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, whether information held on individuals who have Connexions cards has been passed on to third parties(a) for no consideration and (b) for a consideration. [79125]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: Only the Connexions Service has been passed information held on individuals who have Connexions Cards and this is for no consideration. No information held on individuals who have a Connexions Card has been passed to a third party for a consideration.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how many Connexions cards have been issued. [79126]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: As of 5 November, there have been 175,161 Connexions Cards issued.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, how old the youngest person is who has received a Connexions card. [79127]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: The youngest person who has received a Connexions Card is 14 years old.

Mr. Flook

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, what information can be held on an individual who uses a Connexions card. [79128]

Mr. Stephen Twigg

[holding answer 6 November 2002]: The young person's name, date of birth and photo is shown on the Card and their name, date of birth and unique Connexions Card number are recorded on the chip.

In addition to the above information, each young person's record on the Connexions Card database holds details of the learning centre(s), attendance, points collected and redeemed, and rewards chosen.