To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when announcements on arrangements for (a) community libraries and (b) family learning will be made in relation to applications from Buckinghamshire. (93712)

I have been asked to reply.

The community libraries programme was launched on 9 October 2006 and the family learning programme was launched on 19 September 2006. Both programmes are available throughout England.

Community Libraries is open to all local authority library services through a competitive application process.

Family learning grants will be awarded through a competitive application process which is open to statutory, voluntary and private sector organisations (statutory and private sector applicants must apply in partnership with a voluntary sector organisation).

The Big Lottery Fund expect to be in a position to make the first grant awards under the family learning programme in the first half of 2007 and under the community libraries programme in the second half of 2007.