§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is his policy towards the recent recommendations from Her Majesty's inspectorate for more concentration on practical aspects of teacher training; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldI assume that the hon. Member is referring to the HMI report, "The New Teacher in School." As I explained in my reply to the hon. Member on 1 November at column604, the Government have taken a number of steps to improve the quality and 591W content of initial teacher training since the teachers surveyed in that report were trained. I also said that we would be reviewing the course approval system. Although training has to meet more stringent criteria now, we are not complacent. We intend to raise the quality of teacher training still further and the review will be aimed at putting that intention into practice.