§ Mr. GorrieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will list the social exclusion projects currently in operation in Scotland indicating for each(a) the number of people benefiting, (b) the Government's financial contribution and (c) the total cost. [67498]
§ Mr. MacdonaldThe Government are taking forward a wide range of programmes and projects to promote social inclusion in Scotland. Over the next three years, the Government will invest £48 million in the new Social Inclusion Partnerships; £49 million in the National Childcare Strategy; £26 million in New Community Schools; £49 million in Early Intervention schemes; £24 million in Alternatives to Exclusion from School; and an additional £278 million in New Housing Partnerships. The Government have also pledged around £350 million over the lifetime of this Parliament to support the New Deals in Scotland, another key element of the Government's programme to promote inclusion. The Government's programme to promote social inclusion in Scotland will be set out in detail in the context of its "social inclusion strategy", to be published shortly.
From 1 July 1999, action taken forward under the social inclusion strategy will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.