§ Mr. SpellerTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he aims to achieve comprehensive geographical coverage for portage schemes; and how many such schemes operate in the county of Devon.
§ Mr. Alan HowarthBetween 1986 and 1989, pump-priming funds to provide portage were offered to every LEA in England, though the education support grant (ESG); 89 out of 97 LEAs took it up. Although no new ESG funds for portage are available, LEAs are encouraged to develop further schemes themselves. There is one scheme in the county of Devon.