HC Deb 14 July 1999 vol 335 cc194-5W
Mr. Chaytor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans he has to review the EMAG arrangements for those local authorities which have taken on significant responsibility for the education of the children of refugees from Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [90788]

Mr. Charles Clarke

We are grateful for the positive way Local Authorities have responded in providing for the needs of evacuees from Kosovo and for securing school places for the children concerned. A meeting has been arranged on 20 July between the Local Government Association, the Home Office and other interested parties to discuss the costs incurred by Local Authorities.

The Department's Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant is able to provide specialist support for refugee education. However, all allocations of the Grant for 1999–2000 were announced on 4 March, and we have no present plans to review these.