§ Mr. Peter Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress has been made with the production of draft national criteria for examination at 16-plus.
§ Sir Keith JosephMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I have given the joint council of GCE and CSE boards our provisional comments on its proposals for draft criteria in physics, French and history. We are currently considering proposals in a further 11 subjects. We have made clear our belief that those involved in this work are breaking new ground; and while more work is needed on the criteria—work in which the72W Secondary Examinations Council will have an important part to play—much progress has been made. We are most grateful to the joint council and to its working parties for the considerable time and effort which have been freely devoted to this important exercise.