§ Q2. Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Prime Minister whether he has any plans to make an official visit to Romford.
§ The Prime MinisterI am making a series of visits to all parts of the country, and very much hope to include Essex among them.
§ Sir Michael NeubertWill my right hon. Friend be assured that any time that he cares to come to Romford, Essex men and Essex women will throng the streets in their thousands? In the meantime, will he give my constituents an assurance that he welcomes the report of the three wise men on primary education, and that the Government fully subscribe to the importance of the three Rs? Will he confirm that it is our top priority to get back to the basics in education and to sweep away the leftist progressive teaching methods that, having been put to the test, have failed?
§ The Prime MinisterMy hon. Friend couches his invitation to visit Essex in irresistible terms.
The report that my right hon. and learned Friend the Secretary of State published yesterday is extremely important. It challenges some of the teaching methods that have been used in recent years and it suggests that schools should concentrate on commonsense, practical teaching. I believe that that is what parents want and that it is the best way to ensure that children are taught the essentials. We certainly hope that both schools and teachers will adopt the proposals in the report.