HC Deb 14 November 1978 vol 958 cc150-1W
33. Mr. Forman

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what account she has taken, in her current proposals to reform 16-plus examinations, of the need to test both the bright and the average child.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

This need will be met by the provision where necessary of alternative or additional papers, designed to enable candidates of differing abilities to demonstrate to the full what they can do. The proposed new single system will be more adaptable in this respect than the current dual system.

39. Mr. Straubenzee

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what public consultations she proposes consequent upon the publication of the White Paper, "Secondary School Examinations: A Single System at 16-plus".

52. Mr. Leadbitter

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps she is taking to promote public debate and consultation on the White Paper "Secondary School Examinations: A Single System at 16-plus".

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Consultations about replacing the present dual system with a single system have gone on for over five years and comments were invited from the major interested parties on the report of the Waddell committee (Cmnd. 7281) which preceded the White Paper. I hope that there will shortly be an opportunity to debate the White Paper in this House.

42. Mr. Ioan Evans

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what response she has received to her proposals for the future of GCE and CSE examinations.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier today to Questions on this subject.

46. Mr. Tim Renton

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether she is satisfied that there will be no decline in examination standards if the proposals in the recent White Paper are acted upon.

Mrs. Shirley Williams

Yes.