HC Deb 22 February 1983 vol 37 c408W
27. Mr. Nelson

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what further progress has been made upon the implementation of the recommendations of the Cockcroft report on mathematics.

Dr. Boyson

The Department will shortly be commissioning a major programme of research and development, including work on graduated tests, in accordance with the recommendations of the Cockcroft report. Bids received from local education authorities and other institutions for a place in this programme and for the Department's programme of development projects for lower-attaining pupils provide further evidence of a wide range of activity already under way in different parts of the country. A number of the projects which have been accepted for inclusion in the latter programme devote particular attention to mathematics. Mathematics is also one of the priority areas for the Government's new scheme of grants for in-service training for teachers. A grant is being made to the Royal Institution to enable it to continue its series of mathematics masterclasses for gifted young mathematicians.