To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how many educational visits to English Heritage managed properties took place in each of the last five years; and how many of these were provided without charge by English Heritage. (224496)

[holding answer 6 October 2008]: The information requested has been provided by English Heritage and is set out in the table.

English Heritage has offered schoolchildren free entry to its sites since it was created in 1984. More recently, in response to feedback from teachers asking for more support at sites, English Heritage introduced interactive, curriculum-linked sessions in September 2006 called Discovery Visits. While entry to the sites remains free, schools are charged £60 for these sessions for a group of up to 30 pupils. In 2006-07, 10,400 children took part in Discovery Visits and 27,000 in 2007-08.