§ Mr. Freudasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children are currently involved in the lower attaining pupils programme; and what is the total cost of the programme broken down into a research component and expenditure in the schools.
§ Mr. DunnAbout 5,600 pupils are currently involved. The total cost of the programme is approximately £2.5 million per annum of which 75 per cent. is borne by the central Government and 25 per cent. by the local education authorities involved. Two of the projects are funded up to 50 per cent. by the European Community under its transition-to-work programme. An additional sum of £436,000 has been allocated within the Department's research budget for the evaluation of the programme by the National Foundation for Educational Research.