§ Mr. BennettTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how much money his Department has awarded to(a) Stockport MBC and (b) Tameside MBC to celebrate beacon status; and what guidance he has issued on how the money is to be spent. [128879]
§ Ms ArmstrongThis year we are providing £700,000 for beacon councils. Subject to approval by the House of the Special Grant Report (number 64) which was laid on 27 June, this amount will be distributed as specified in the report among the 33 successful applicants for beacon status, including Stockport and Tameside, as a contribution to the costs they incur as beacons in disseminating their good practice.
Guidance on the special grant was contained in the Beacon Council Application Brochure published in May 1999, and in the draft Special Grant Report circulated to each of the beacon councils earlier this year.