§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment, pursuant to his oral statement of 27 January 1999,Official Report, column 306, on Highcliffe School, what factors account for the difference between his estimated figure for the school's balance this year and that contained in the letter dated 20 January 1999 from the Funding Agency for Schools to Dorset County Council. [68989]
§ Mr. Charles Clarke[holding answer 2 February 1999]: The figure in the letter from Funding Agency for Schools to Dorset County Council was for the cumulative deficit of income over expenditure for 1998–99, calculated on an accruals basis. My right hon. Friend was referring to the estimated cash balance of the school at 31 March 1999, after an £83,000 overpayment of Annual Maintenance Grant has been deducted.