§ Mr. David NicholsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what guidance he gives(a) to local education authorities and (b) to Her Majesty's inspectors regarding the desirability of pupils learning multiplication tables by rote; and what representations he has had on the matter.
§ Mr. EggarThe national curriculum sets out what is to be taught in schools, and this includes the requirement for pupils to learn mutiplication tables up to 10 times 10. It is for teachers to decide how to deliver the curriculum, and I have not given any guidance on how pupils should learn their tables, nor received any representations on the subject.