§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many university students her Department and associated agencies has supported or sponsored with a work placement in the last year; what her policy is on work placements; what plans she has to develop such schemes; and what her policy is on paying their university fees. [98541]
§ Dr. HowellsIn 2002 the Department employed 3 university students in summer work placements and 5 undergraduates under the Cabinet Office sponsored scheme for students from under-represented groups for the third year. We are currently reviewing policy on work placements but in view of the limited number of work experience opportunities in a relatively small Department, we shall probably concentrate in future on providing places for the Cabinet Office scheme. We have no proposals to pay their university fees. The Royal Parks had no work placements in 2002.