§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what plans she has to reduce the number of public examination boards; and if she will make a statement. [11186]
§ Mrs. GillanMy right hon. Friend made it clear in response to the School Curriculum and Assessment Authority—Office for Standards in Education report on "Standards in Public Examinations 1975 to 1995", published on 5 December, that she believed that it was now right to consult on moves to reduce and rationalise the number of examining and awarding bodies. She will be publishing a consultation paper on possible options early next month.