To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement about the (a) money allocated under and (b) students benefiting from the Music Standards Fund and the Music and Dance Scheme in (i) the Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland constituency, (ii) Teesside and (iii) the Government Office north east region. [115535]

The information requested relating to the Music and Dance Scheme (MDS) is not available centrally. MDS provision in the north east is known to be weak, which is why the Department is helping to pilot a new weekend music school at The Sage, Gateshead, Tyne and Wear to benefit talented children in the region.The Music Standards Fund can be spent in any way which enhances opportunities for pupils to access musical education of high quality, so potentially all students in an area benefit from its provision. The funds allocated to each area requested are as follows.