HL Deb 11 October 1999 vol 605 cc70-1WA
Baroness Hooper

asked Her Majesty's Government:

How the Department for Education and Employment's new one and two-year Dance and Drama Awards Scheme will operate so as not to apply unfairly to vocational dance training course providers offering three-year courses. [HL4097]

Baroness Blackstone

All providers were given the opportunity to take up fair shares of the available one, two and three-year Dance and Drama Awards. The formula for making allocations took account of the relative allocations and filled places made under the Interim Funding Scheme, which the awards will replace in September 1999. This approach ensures that all providers, including those deciding to use only three-year awards, are treated fairly.

Baroness Hooper

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will permit dance training course providers offering three-year courses to encourage dance students to apply for a one or two-year award and to seek other forms of sponsorship, including parental contributions, to finance the third year, rather than requiring course providers to finance the third year themselves. [HL4098]

Baroness Blackstone

Providers may use funds from other sources to encourage dance students to apply for one and two-year awards. They cannot charge students or their parents more than the prevailing rate of student fees (£1,025 p.a. in 1999–2000) during courses supported by the awards, to safeguard the interests of students from low income families.