To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how much money will be available from the Standards Fund to cover the costs of introducing the induction year for newly qualified teachers; and if money will be made available directly to schools to cover the extra costs incurred. [79025]

[holding answer 29 March 1999]: In 1999–2000 we have made available additional funds through the £251.5 million School Improvement Standards Fund grant to support activity designed to improve standards of pupil performance in order to meet school, local education authority and national targets. Support provided through this grant explicitly includes induction. We have made clear in the Standards Fund guidance (Circular 13/98) local education authorities' responsibilities to pass on adequate funds to schools in respect of such induction programme for newly-qualified teachers through devolvement of the School Improvement grant.