HC Deb 17 November 1978 vol 958 cc391-2W
Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science why her White Paper, which proposes the introduction of a single system of examinations at 16-plus, makes no reference to the private student who at present studies for the GCE O-level examinations at home or overseas through correspondence courses.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The needs of private candidates studying by correspondence will continue to be met under the single system of examining. This will be facilitated by the provision in the White Paper that, within each new examining authority, a full range of board-based examinations must be made available, conforming to any national criteria for syllabuses and assessment procedures.

Mr. Nicholas Winterton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations she has received from the Association of British Correspondence Colleges in connection with her White Paper, which introduces a single system of examinations at 16-plus in place of GCE O-level and CSE.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

The chairman of the association wrote to me recently asking whether the needs of private candidates studying by correspondence would be met by a single system, and raising the question of representation on the new examining authorities. I have replied saying that the needs of these candidates will be met, and that the time for considering representation will be when the shape of the new authorities has emerged. I have offered a meeting with my Department should one be thought helpful.