§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his letter of 11 June relating to the work of Maria Spychiger's Swiss institute, what research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated in relation to the value of music teaching for children in encouraging communications skills. [34637]
§ Mr. Raymond S. Robertson[holding answer 8 July 1996]: The Scottish Office Education and Industry Department has not commissioned research in this area. I do, however, recognise the valuable contribution which music makes to the overall educational development of students. Work currently in train to define agreed core skills may well pave the way for a fuller assessment of the contribution made by music to the development of communication skills in particular.