§ Mr. Viggersasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a further statement on the campaign to reduce adult illiteracy.
§ Mr. Gerry FowlerI cannot, for the time being, add to the reply my right hon. Friend gave to a question from the hon. Member on 11th December 1975.—[Vol. 902, c. 348.]
§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many children now aged 10 years cannot read or write.
§ Miss Joan LestorInformation is not available in the form requested. There is no universally accepted definition of of methods of assessing and monitoring the achievement of children at school. The results of the national primary survey being conducted by Her Majesty's ability to read or write. The Department's Assessment of Performance Unit is, however, promoting the development576W Inspectorate should also lead to a clearer picture of language and literacy in schools.
§ Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science, in view of the growing concern about the low levels of literacy and numeracy among school children, what policy he is adopting to eliminate this increasing inadequacy within the educational system.
§ Miss Joan LestorThe Bullock Committee on reading and the use of English concluded that there was no firm evidence upon which to base comparisons between standards of English today and those of before the war. Similarly, there is no sound statistical evidence about changes in standards of numeracy. My right hon. Friend is, however, aware of the need for better monitoring procedures and the Department's Assessment of Performance Unit will be promoting their development.