§ Ms. HarmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what plans he has to develop portage; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what is his estimate of the number of families with young children who need portage but do not obtain it.
§ Mr. DunnIt is the responsibility of local education authorities to provide portage. Over the five-year period from 1986/87 the Department will have provided in excess of £8 million through the education support grant scheme for the development of portage. Every local education authority wishing to participate in this scheme has been offered support by the Department. It is up to local education authorities to consider future support once the ESG scheme comes to an end and to determine the number of families who would benefit from portage.