HC Deb 15 March 1988 vol 129 cc534-5W
39. Mr. Andy Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he proposes any further steps to reduce the level of illiteracy among school leavers; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

English is one of the core subjects in our proposed national curriculum. The introduction of attainment targets in English will raise standards of literacy by identifying pupils needing further help. A national curriculum working group on English will be established after Easter, building on the work of the Kingman committee on what children should know about language, to advise on attainment targets and the associated programmes of study for all aspects of English.