asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much money the Government paid in each year since 1979 to independent schools in the form of boarding allowances in respect of the education of the children of diplomatic staff (a) in cash terms and (b) in constant 1985 prices; and for each, how many children that covered.

The total cost to the diplomatic service wing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including Communications Departments in each financial year since 1979–80 for boarding school allowances, was:

	£
1979–80	4,011,280
1980–81	4,962,267
1981–82	5,663,088
1982–83	7,465,177
1983–84	5,940,981
1984–85	6,239,908

The 1982–83 figure reflects a change in the method and timing of payment from monthly to termly in advance. As a once and for all result, the equivalent of 15 months payment was made in the 12-month period.In constant 1985 prices the cost was:

	£
1979–80	5,986,985
1980–81	6,478,155
1981–82	6,654,627
1982–83	8,230,625
1983–84	6,247,088
1984–85	6,239,908

I shall write to the hon. Member with the other information he requests.