David Laws (Yeovil, Liberal Democrat)

To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families how much his Department and its predecessor paid towards the production of Teachers TV in the last three years for which figures are available; and if he will make a statement.

Diana Johnson (Parliamentary Under-Secretary, Department for Children, Schools and Families; Kingston upon Hull North, Labour)

The operating and financial years of the Teachers TV service in the relevant period ran from 1 August 2006 to 31 July 2007; from 1 August 2007 to 31 May 2008 (10 months) and from 1 June 2008 to 31 March 2009 (10 months). The second and third periods are shorter as these were tied in to the re-tendering of the supply contract in 2007/08 and a decision to align the operating year for the service to the normal financial year rather than the academic year; the new contract commenced on 1 June 2008.

In the year to 31 July 2007 the Department paid the Teachers TV supplier a total of £16,727,420.

In the 10-month period from 1 August 2007 to 31 May 2008 the Department paid the Teachers TV supplier a total of £10,700,298.

In the 10-month period from 1 June 2008 to 31 March 2009 the Department paid the Teachers TV supplier a total of £10,194,616.