§ Mr. Pawseyasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what relationship his Department has with the National Council for Educational Standards; whether his Department receives survey reports from the council; and if he will consider making funds available to the council.
§ Mr. DunnThe Department corresponds with the National Council for Educational Standards on matters of mutual interest and officials recently met representatives of the council to discuss the proposed reform of 16-plus examinations. The council is financially independent of the Government and has not sought assistance from the Department. Its views are, nevertheless, taken into account where they are relevant to DES policy. The report of a research project entitled, "Standards in English Schools" sponsored by the council and published on 30 June will be carefully studied.