HC Deb 29 April 1996 vol 276 cc349-50W
Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much has been spent on publicity in each of the four pilot authorities in phase 1 of the voucher scheme; and in each case what was the estimated publicity budget. [26783]

Mr. Robin Squire

To date, some £1.1 million has been spent on providing information to parents and providers nationwide. The budget, of £750,000, was exceeded in order to meet the unexpectedly high demand for information outside the phase 1 areas. It is not possible to break down expenditure between the phase 1 areas or between phase 1 areas and the rest of the country.

Mr. Blunkett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what funding has been made available to each of the four pilot authorities and in total to cover the cost of administration in phase 1 of the voucher scheme. [26814]

Mr. Squire

Grant aid has been made available to the four local education authorities taking part in the first phase of the voucher scheme to recognise the additional costs incurred in participating in phase 1 compared with joining in phase 2.

The maximum level of grant up to which each local education authority may claim is as follows:

£
Kensington and Chelsea 37,220
Norfolk 92,107
Wandsworth 48,980
Westminster 38,585
Total 216,892