To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many nurses were enrolled in a foundation period of preceptorship in each year for which the figures are available; and what the budget was for such preceptorships in each year. (260845)

Neither the number of nurses undertaking preceptorship or the amount spent is held centrally. The Government recognise the value of preceptorship and have made £10 million available in 2008-09 for strategic health authorities to invest in preceptorship. We plan to increase this to £20 million in 2009-10 and £30 million in 2010-11 and each subsequent year.