§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment she has made of the effectiveness of the initial teaching alphabet in the 134W prevention and treatment of disabilities in reading and writing; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. St. John-StevasThe initial teaching alphabet is one of a number of schemes whose introduction has been accompanied by improvements in the acquisition of reading skills. A report of an assessment carried out by the late Professor F. W. Warburton and Mrs. Vera Southgate for the Schools Council is published under the title "ita—an independent evaluation". Evidence on this subject has been presented to the Bullock Committee and my right hon. Friend will await the committee's report.