§ Mr. Durantasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will now state the Government's policy on examinations at 17-plus years.
§ Sir Keith JosephThe Government are today publishing a statement describing the new prevocational qualification which they intend to establish in England and Wales with the aim of helping more young people to improve their job prospects and their performance in employment. This initiative will bring greater coherence to the courses and qualifications available to young people continuing their full-time education, whether in schools or colleges of further education, beyond the age of 16. Its success depends on the co-operation of all the examining and validating bodies which at present offer competing qualifications. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I believe that this co-operation will be readily forthcoming, in the interest of the many young people concerned. We are inviting these bodies to join as equal partners in a consortium, with representatives of the local authorities, and under an independent chairman, to establish and manage the new qualification. The Government will grant-aid the consortium for an initial 157W period, provided that its members accept the guidelines set out in the statement. Copies of the statement are available in the Vote Office.