§ Mr. Sean Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will give the total cost of the assisted places scheme for 1983–84 and the projected cost for 1984–85; and what this represents as spending per pupil so assisted in cost terms and real terms using 1983–84 as the base year.
§ Mr. DunnThe actual cost of the scheme in England for the financial year 1983–84 was £14,995,483 and the estimated cost for 1984–85 is £22.5 million. The implied average cost per assisted pupil in cash terms is £1,292 in 1983.84 and £1,390 in 1984–85. For 1984–85, the equivalent unit cost in cost terms—that is, the cash figure adjusted for general inflation as measured by the GDP deflator, as given in table 5 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1984–85 — is £1,327 against the 1983–84 base. A real terms comparison is not available.