§ Mr. Andrew SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what estimates have been made for(a) the administrative cost and (b) the total cost of providing nursery vouchers to the parents of all four-year-olds.
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe total cost of the voucher scheme for four-year-olds which my right hon. Friend has just announced is estimated at £730 million for full implementation in England. Administrative costs will be determined by the tendering process used to select a contractor to administer the scheme, but are expected to be up to 1.5 per cent. of the total cost of the scheme.