HC Deb 11 June 1991 vol 192 cc474-5W
Mr. Andrew Smith

To ask the Secretary of State For Education and Science if he will list the expenditure to date incurred on the production and administration of the national curriculum, broken down between that incurred on (i) working groups, (ii) publication, (iii) publicity, (iv) School Examinations and Assessment Council meetings, (v) in-service training, (vi) monitoring and (vii) other.

Mr. Eggar

Government expenditure on the national curriculum in the 1989–90 financial year was some £20.6 million; and in 1990–91 it was £24.8 million (provisional). These figures include grant-in-aid to the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations and Assessment Council. Planned expenditure for 1991–92 is some £34.9 million.

The implementation of the national curriculum has also been supported by the Government via specific grants to local education authorities. Eligible expenditure includes in-service training, the employment of advisory teachers, support for non-teaching support staff, and the provision of extra books, materials and equipment. In 1989–90 these grants totalled some £100 million; in 1990–91, they were some £120 million; and in 1991–92 they will support LEA expenditure of around £170 million.

It is not possible to break down this expenditure in the way requested by the hon. Member. The table shows direct expenditure by the Department:

  1. (i) Working Groups
    • In the financial years 1987–88 to 1990–91—£7l0,000.
    • Planned expenditure in 1991–92—£127,000.
  2. (ii) Publication
    • National curriculum subject orders—£5,500,000.
    • NC assessment statutory documents and speeches—£148,000.
  3. (iii)Publicity
    • Leaflets for parents and teachers—£665,000.
  4. (vi)Monitoring
    • Monitoring is being carried out by Her Majesty's Inspectorate as part of their normal duties.