asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the amount of money allocated per pupil for materials necessary for general certificate of secondary education courses.

The Government's plans for local authority current spending this year include an additional £100 million for GCSE non-teaching costs. Provision of £10 million is supported directly through education support grant and is specifically for books and equipment, including materials; the allocation of the £90 million which is supported through block grant is for individual authorities to determine but is intended to cover inter alia further spending on books and equipment. The £100 million in total is equivalent to £84 per fourth and fifth year pupil.