§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what administrative action he has taken to assist the introduction of the nursery education voucher programme. [1689]
§ Mr. AncramAction has been taken on a number of fronts as follows:
- 1. A consultation document on the proposed operation of the nursery voucher scheme in Northern Ireland was issued in April 1996.
- 2. The Department of Education has been involved in the tendering process to select the company to administer the voucher scheme nationally. Discussions are taking place with
676 education and library boards about funding mechanisms, and arrangements are being made for the inspection and registration of providers. General publicity about the scheme is planned for early 1997. - 3. The Northern Ireland Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment has prepared a pre-school curriculum for Northern Ireland.
- 4. An Order in Council to provide the powers necessary to implement the voucher scheme is expected to be laid before Parliament during November.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what estimate he has made of the per capita expenditure on the administration of the nursery education voucher programme. [1690]
§ Mr. AncramThe estimated per capita expenditure on the administration of the nursery education voucher programme in Northern Ireland is £9.17.