§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what estimate his Department has made of the costs to London boroughs of providing education for the children of asylum seekers in 1999–2000. [117930]
§ Jacqui SmithIt is not possible to estimate the total costs of this provision in London boroughs in 1999–2000, as the information is not recorded centrally. However, London boroughs receive funding for the cost of providing education for the children of asylum seekers in the same way as for all other children on the school roll. Children of asylum seekers can also benefit from assistance with the acquisition of language skills through the Ethnic Minority and Traveller Achievement Grant.