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Awarding Bodies and Examiners

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what consultations he has held with awarding bodies and examiners in connection with their setting, marking and grading activities this summer; what assessment he has made of the extent to which the new AS levels will be accommodated within their programme of work and staff availability; and if he will make a statement. [146058]

Mr. Wicks [holding answer 22 January 2001]: A greater number of examiners is needed this summer, not least because we are in transition from the old A level qualifications to our new and widely welcomed reforms. The exact number of examiners needed will not be known until Easter, when entries have been made. The awarding bodies have already begun recruiting examiners. The Qualifications and Curriculum Authority is working with the awarding bodies to ensure that the system will deliver this summer's results on time. We are monitoring this work closely to confirm that all necessary steps have been taken. The Government are committed to maintaining a robust and effective public examination system.

Education Spending (East Sussex)

Mr. Baker: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what the level of spending was per pupil in (a) primary and (b) secondary schools in East Sussex for each year from 1990 to the last year for which figures are available, expressed in today's prices. [146701]

Ms Estelle Morris [holding answer 23 January 2001]: The following table shows the spending per pupil in real terms, separately for primary and secondary pupils, in East Sussex for the years 1990-91 to 1998-99, the latest year for which this information is currently available. These figures are based on net institutional expenditure at 2000-01 prices.

£

Pre-primary and primarySecondary
1990-911,6602,650
1991-921,7902,540
1992-931,9002,730
1993-941,9502,700
1994-951,9802,770
1995-961,9602,730
1996-971,9002,600
1997-981,8002,530
1998-991,8802,530

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The following table sets out the resources made available to East Sussex local education authority for primary and secondary education since 1997-98, at 2000-01 prices. These figures are not directly comparable with net institutional expenditure set out in the first table, but they do reflect real terms increases in primary and secondary funding per pupil over the last three years of £420 and £370 respectively.

£ per pupil

Standard spending assessmentSpecial and specific grantsSSA and special/specific grants
Primary
1997-982,250302,280
1998-992,320402,370
1999-20002,3801302,510
2000-012,4402502,700
Secondary
1997-982,960302,990
1998-993,040403,080
1999-20003,070803,150
2000-013,1701903,350

Under this Government, funding per pupil has already increased by over £300 nationally in real terms, and it will increase by a further £150 per pupil for 2001-02. Under the last Government, funding per pupil fell by £60 in real terms between 1994-95 and 1997-98. There will be further increases in funding following the year 2000 spending review: a further £370 per pupil over the three year period, taking the total increase to nearly £700 between 1997-98 and 2003-04.

Research Projects

Mr. Boswell: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what research projects commissioned by his Department are expected to report (a) within three months, (b) in between three and 12 months and (c) more than 12 months ahead; and what arrangements he is making for their publication. [147155]

Mr. Wicks [holding answer 29 January 2001]: The results of research are published in line with the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. The Department aims to publish or release for publication at least 90 per cent. of research reports within 16 weeks of receiving a final draft from its contractors.

The Department publishes research in its Research Reports series. Copies are also available on the Department's website on the day of publication. Details of the research projects expected to report in the periods requested are contained in the following table. Details of the Department's research and research publications are published every year in the Department's Annual Report on Research.

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