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9 Nov 2004 : Column 589W—continued
EDUCATION AND SKILLS
Classroom-building Projects
Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much ring-fenced money for classroom building projects has been given to schools in (a) Wansdyke, (b) Bath and North East Somerset and (c) South Gloucestershire in each year since 1997. [196763]
Mr. Miliband: Capital funding is largely allocated to local authorities and schools by needs related formulae and supported through the Single Capital Pot. Decisions on how resources should be allocated are taken locally in accordance with their asset management plans. The capital allocations for Bath and North East Somerset and for South Gloucestershire in each year since 1997 are set out in the table. The Department does not hold details of capital allocations by constituency.
(7) Allocated on new pupil places criteria, but not ring-fenced.
Combined Heat and Power
Malcolm Bruce: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of (a) schools and (b) universities in England utilise combined heat and power. [195942]
Mr. Miliband:
Neither DfES nor HEFCE collect these statistics. However we do know that there are a large number of CHP installations in universities. They are popular where there are large energy loads. Some local authority district CHP schemes supply a school as well as local housing and other community buildings.
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Smaller micro-chp units are also currently being trialled where the school has a large enough heat load throughout the year.
Criminal Record Checks
Michael Fabricant: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what procedures are in place (a) to check the criminal records of civil servants in his Department and agencies responsible to his Department who have access to computer databases containing confidential information on the public and (b) to ensure that there can be no improper use of computer databases containing confidential information on the public; and if he will make a statement. [194604]
Mr. Charles Clarke: My Department undertakes 'Character Enquiry' checks prior to any unconditional offers of employment being made as part of its recruitment procedures. The procedure requires potential recruits to complete a stencil detailing any current or previous criminal convictions. Any declared convictions are followed up by obtaining details directly from the relevant courts. Decisions on whether the information would prevent the Department from offering the individual an appointment are taken as appropriate at this stage.
Additionally, procedures are in place for serving staff to report any convictions received since their employment with the Department commenced. If the position requires working in direct contact with children or vulnerable adults, Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) checks are carried out prior to any unconditional offers of employment being made. The information is available to staff and managers via the Department's Intranet. Personal criminal convictions, are potentially disciplinary issues, as is the failure to declare a conviction.
It is DfES policy to ensure that its IT systems and the information they contain are secure, while letting those in DfES carry out its business. All access to the Internet are monitored internally by the Department's Information Services. Again, IT misuse policy is available through the Department's Intranet system, and staff are required to familiarise themselves with the Department's guidance on IT security.
Departmental IT
Brian White: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what percentage of the Department's (a) implemented and (b) planned computer systems use open source software; and what plans are in place to raise this level. [195658]
Mr. Charles Clarke: Currently less than 1 per cent. of the Department's computer systems use Open Source Software in the Department. Also none of the planned computer systems will make use of Open Source Software.
Our future use of Open Source Software will follow the Government policy as published in version 2 of the Open Source Software policy on 28 October 2004.
The draft policy document is available for viewing at http://www.govtalk.gov.uk
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Departmental Press Releases
Pete Wishart: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many press releases have been issued by his Department in each month of 2004; and if he will make a statement. [195454]
Mr. Stephen Twigg: The number of press notices issued by the Department for Education and Skills in each month of 2004 is as follows:
| Month | Number of press notices issued |
|---|---|
| January | 18 |
| February | 15 |
| March | 25 |
| April | 28 |
| May | 22 |
| June | 9 |
| July | 15 |
| August | 6 |
| September | 13 |
| October | 9 |
Education Funding
Mr. Luff: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what the total funding per pupil in cash terms is for each local education authority for 2004–05, using the same format as that for 2003–04 and prior years as set out on his Department's website. [195922]
Mr. Miliband: It is not clear to which figures the hon. Member refers. The table shows local education authorities in England in 2003–04 and 2004–05, the total funding per pupil in cash terms.
The information requested has been placed in the Libraries.
Dan Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how much on average per child was contributed from public funds to the education of (a) primary school children and (b) secondary school children in (i) Wansdyke, (ii) Bath and North East Somerset and (iii) South Gloucestershire in each year since 1997 for which figures are available. [196770]
Mr. Miliband: The following tables give the total funding per Primary and Secondary pupil in real terms from 1997–98 to 2004–05, separately for the Bath and North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire local education authority areas. Funding information on a constituency basis is not available.
(8) Change since 1997–98
Notes:
1. Price Base: Real terms at 2003–04 prices, based on GDP deflators as at 30 June 2004.
2. Figures reflect relevant sub-blocks of education SSA/EFS settlements and exclude the pensions transfer to EPS and LSC.
3. Total funding also includes all revenue grants in DfES Departmental Expenditure Limits relevant to pupils aged 3–10 and 11–15 and exclude EMAs and grants not allocated at LEA level. For those LEAs in receipt of advance of grant under the transitional support arrangements for 2004–05, advance grant funding is included in the year of payment (2004–05). There will be a consequential reduction in DfES grant for these LEAs in future years (either 2006–07 and 2007–08 or 2006–07 to 2008–09, depending on the terms on which the advance was given to the LEA).
4. The pupil numbers used to convert £ million figures to £ per pupil are those underlying the SSA/EFS settlement calculations plus PLASC 3-year-old maintained pupils and estimated 3–4 year olds funded through state support in maintained and other educational institutions where these are not included in the SSA pupil numbers.
5. Rounding: Figures are rounded to the nearest 10.
6. Status: 2004–05 figures are provisional as some grants have not yet been finalised/audited.
7. 1997–98 figures for LEAs subject to Local Government Reorganisation in that year have been estimated, pro-rata to their post LGR figures.
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