§ Mr. Madelasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what advice he has received from the Secondary Examinations Council about the reform of 16-plus examinations; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephI received earlier this week the advice of the Secondary Examinations Council on the desirability and feasibility of a single system of examinations at 16-plus, in the light of the draft national criteria. I have arranged for copies of the chairman's letter to be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Wales and I will now consider that advice with a view to announcing our decision on the nature of reform of 16-plus examinations in the second quarter of 1984.