§ Mr. Lathamasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the total number of children of personnel serving in Her Majesty's forces currently attending boarding schools where the fees are met wholly or partly by his Department because the parent or parents are posted abroad; how many of the pupils are in (a) the maintained and (b) the independent sector; and what is the current cost per annum to his Department.
§ Mr. FreemanBoarding school allowance is available to help service parents provide continuity of education for their children during frequent posting moves, whether within United Kingdom or overseas. Records are not maintained in the form requested, but the allowance is currently being paid in respect of some 21,500 children in all. Of these, it is estimated that about 20 per cent. Attend school in the maintained sector. The estimated cost of the allowance for the current financial year is £92.404 million.