HC Deb 23 March 1999 vol 328 c198W
Mr. Cox

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what percentage of his Department's budget is spent on education in schools about the dangers caused by smoking; and if he will make a statement. [77588]

Mr. Charles Clarke

The dangers of smoking form a vital part of education about drugs. We are supporting £7 million of expenditure this year through the Standards Fund programme, to assist primary and secondary schools and the youth service to deliver effective education about drugs, including alcohol and tobacco. This is 1.1 per cent. of the £627 million of expenditure being supported in total through the Standards Fund programme this year, which includes a range of grants that reflect the Government's central priority of raising standards in our schools, as set out in the "Excellence in Schools" White Paper. We will also be providing increased support of £7.5 million for drug education through the Standards Fund programme in each of the next three years.