§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what representations he has received in the last 12 months on the question of providing musical instrument teaching in schools as part of the curriculum; and what plans he has to increase the provision. [99899]
§ Jacqui SmithThe Government have made available a £180 million package for music services. Of this, x00A3;150 million is available through the Standards Fund over three years to protect and expand local education authorities' music services. Among other things, this money can be targeted to instrumental music tuition. As this is new funding, the Department has received a number of representations over the last 12 months relating to musical instrument teaching.
The remaining £30 million will fund the Youth Music Trust. The work of the Trust will complement Standards Fund provision and will extend access to music making for young people both in schools and outside.
The Department has commissioned a research project to look at the effectiveness of the instrumental music services maintained by local education authorities in order to draw lessons for the future. The project is due for completion in June 2000.