§ Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science (1) what steps he is taking to monitor the effects which cuts in local authority expenditure may have on educational standards: and if he will gather statistics at frequent intervals on changes in educational standards;
(2) if he will set out in the Official Report the statistical criteria by which he measures educational standards; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what study he has made of the effect of public expenditure cuts on educational standards.
§ Mr. Mark CarlisleMy Department collects some statistical information relating to standards of attainment, such as examination results, but educational standards cannot be assessed on a purely quantitative basis. Her Majesty's Inspectorate provides my Department with qualitative assessments, and periodical reviews of the observable effects on the education service of local authority expenditure policy. My Department also receives advice on these matters from the local authority associations.