§ Mr. BoswellQ.224 To ask the Prime Minister what recent representations she has received relating to standards of literacy.
§ The Prime MinisterThe Government regularly receive correspondence about the standards of written and spoken English. It is important continually to seek to raise the standards of literacy.
English is a core subject in the national curriculum. Attainment targets and performances of study for five and seven-year-old children were introduced in September 1989. The requirements for older children will be introduced in stages between now and September 1992. Assessment at regular intervals will mean that children with literacy problems will be identified at an early stage and can be given the necessary help.
The Government have given priority to the literacy needs of adults. They have provided grants of £3 million this year to the adult literacy and basic skills unit. In addition, local education authorities are being assisted through education support grants to provide open learning centres, and the training of tutors of adult literacy and basic skills has been designated a national priority area under the LEA training grants scheme.