HC Deb 26 November 1996 vol 286 cc195-6W
Mr. Jamieson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will list the total number of children benefiting from the boarding school allowance for the past five years, indicating the number of children whose parent is(a) of officer rank or above and (b) of other junior ranks; [5593]

(2) if he will list the total spent on the boarding school allowance in each of the past five years and the total number of children benefiting from the scheme; and if he will estimate the figures for (a) 1996–97 and (b) 1997–98. [5595]

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 25 November 1996]The total cost to my Department of boarding school allowance for the academic years in question was:

  • 1991–92: £115.35 million
  • 1992–93: £116.72 million
  • 1993–94: £113.61 million
  • 1994–95: £107.24 million
  • 1995–96: £110.60 million

I estimate that the total which will be spent on boarding school allowance in the next two academic years will be approximately the same as for the current year.

The total average number of children for whom boarding school allowance was claimed in the academic years in question was:

  • 1991–92: 16,208
  • 1992–93: 15,120
  • 1993–94: 12,567
  • 1994–95: 11,363
  • 1995–96: 10,699

My Department has kept detailed statistics which analyse only the number of children whose parent is an officer or other rank, for the academic year 1995–96. In that year, the average number of children whose parent is an officer is 7,125 and the average number of children whose parent is another rank is 3,574. Statistics for the previous four academic years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Jamieson

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list the independent schools on the admissible schools list that received funds from his Department in respect of boarding school allowance, indicating for each(a) the number of pupils benefiting from the scheme and (b) the amount of money received in each of the past five years. [5596]

Mr. Soames

[holding answer 25 November 1996]The current admissible schools list—ASL—a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House, gives details of the number of relevant pupils.

The amount of money received over the past five years by schools on successive ASLs is not held centrally and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.