To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much funding his Department provided for supplementary schools in each of the last five years; what funding it plans to provide in the next three years; and if he will make a statement. (200353)

The Department does not provide direct funding to supplementary schools. However, last year, in partnership with the Paul Hamlyn Foundation, the Department contributed £596,000 towards funding the establishment of a National Resource Centre for Supplementary Education. This funding was initially planned to end on 31 March this year but as announced to the House on 26 February the Department has extended it to ensure that the centre’s valuable work continues. In 2008-09 the Department will make available a grant of £350,000 and up to a similar amount in 2009-10 with arrangements to give the centre an incentive to become self-sufficient as early as possible. One key aim of the centre is to promote links between supplementary schools, local authorities and mainstream schools.