§ Nick HarveyTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) how much money the Department has spent on encouraging schoolchildren to play a musical instrument in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement; [46587]
(2) how many schoolchildren have been offered training on a musical instrument in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement; [46586]
(3) how much money the Department and its predecessors have spent on providing schools with instruments in each of the past 10 years; and if she will make a statement. [46588]
§ Mr. Ivan LewisI have been asked to reply.
As part of the national curriculum in music, all pupils up to Key Stage 3 are introduced to playing musical instruments. The Department does not, however, collect information on the numbers of schoolchildren receiving additional instrumental music lessons.
We do recognise the value of instrumental music tuition and have taken a number of steps to support Local Education Authorities Music Services. In 1999 the Music Standards Fund was introduced. Between 1999 and 2004, total funding of £270 million will have been made available to music services across England. The Department's contribution towards this was £35 million in 1999–2000, £40 million in 2000–2001 and £50 million in 2001–2002. LEAs may spend Music Standards Fund in any way which enhances the opportunities for pupils to access musical education of high quality, including providing schools with musical instruments or encouraging children to play a musical instrument.
303WOur wider opportunities programme will expand existing provision to give all primary school pupils who want to the opportunity to learn a musical instrument. The Department is working with partners, including representatives from LEA Music Services, on the best way to fulfil this pledge. As part of this exercise we are considering what information to ask LEAs to collect in order to monitor the numbers of school children learning a musical instrument.