§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what study he has made of the National Council of Educational Standards' report on A-level results; and if he will make a statement.
§ Dr. BoysonThe report is based partly on data published by my Department and partly on independently collected data. It draws attention to some important questions about curriculum and standards in the schools, but variations in the reliability and completeness of the data should be borne in mind. My right hon. and learned Friend has repeatedly emphasised the importance this Government attach to educational standards in the broadest sense and he will be discussing these matters with the local authori-190W ties and the teachers early next year in the light of my Department's report on local authority arrangements for the school curriculum.