HC Deb 19 December 1989 vol 164 cc199-201W
15. Mr. Spearing

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will state the number of letters he has received from head teachers concerning the shortfall of resources for implementation of the national curriculum.

Mr. MacGregor

I frequently receive correspondence from head teachers. Some of it concerns the provision of resources for the national curriculum.

83. Mr. Baldry

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the resources being allocated next year to developing the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

Development of the national curriculum will be achieved largely by the redirection of existing resources. However, we intend next year to use specific grants to support some £120 million expenditure by local education authorities expressly to help with the introduction of the national curriculum. This is in addition to general RSG support of local education authority expenditure. Some £30 million will additionally be deployed to support central expenditure on the national curriculum, including the running costs of the National Curriculum Council and the School Examinations a nd Assessment Council and the costs of developing standard assessment tasks.

108. Mr. Speller

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters he has received from primary school head teachers concerning the speed at which changes within their school operation and curriculum are being made.

Mrs. Rumbold

The information is not readily available in the form requested. My right hon. Friend frequently receives correspondence from primary school head teachers about various aspects of education provision.

55. Mr. Henderson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he will report the outcome of the consideration of physical education and the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

I refer the hon. Member to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Leeds, Central (Mr. Fatchett) on 12 December 1989 at column555.

43. Mr. Donald Thompson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what assessment he has made of parents' reaction to the national curriculum.

49. Mr. Pawsey

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has received from parents about the introduction of the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

The parental awareness survey published on 4 December indicated that some 90 per cent. of parents interviewed support the introduction of the national curriculum. In particular, they welcome the broadening of provision and the setting of clear objectives. Parents also value the availability of more information from the school about the education being provided.

22. Mr. Flannery

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he has taken to ensure that there will be the required number of teachers to deliver the national curriculum.

69. Ms. Gordon

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to ensure that there are sufficient teachers to teach the national curriculum.

Mr. Alan Howarth

I refer the hon. Members to the reply that I gave to the hon. Member for Cardiff, South and Penarth (Mr. Michael) on 12 December 1989 at column553.

24. Mr. Matthew Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the delivery of the national curriculum in primary schools.

30. Mr. Stevens

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress of the national curriculum.

56. Dr. Twinn

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the progress in the introduction of the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

Evidence from Her Majesty's inspectors shows that in general schools are making satisfactory progress in implementing the national curriculum.