§ Mr. Thurnhamasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures will be taken to ensure that funds allocated specifically for the general certificate of secondary education are used exclusively for that purpose; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Chris PattenSo far some £90 million is being targeted in support of the introduction of the GCSE. The Government are supporting expenditure of £40 million on 531W books and equipment, £20 million in this current year and £10 million in each of the next two years, and have also committed some £10 million towards the in-service training of GCSE teachers. Moreover, local authorities have planned for an allocation to the GCSE of some £40 million in this current year.
Of the £40 million expenditure on books and equipment for the GCSE, £35 million is to be supported by education support grant: under the education support grant regulations, local authorities have to secure from their auditors a certificate that expenditure was incurred on the activities for which approval was given. The allocation of £5 million being made available for the provision of scientific and technological equipment is a matter being considered by my right hon. and noble Friend the Secretary of State for Employment in conjunction with the Manpower Services Commission.
As to the funds for training, local authorities are required to certify that teachers have been released to attend GCSE training courses in order to qualify for grant under the in-service teacher training grants scheme.