§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the factual basis of history teaching.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe study of history at school should be grounded on a thorough knowledge of the past. That is not at issue. The question is how to ensure that children acquire the necessary foundation of historical information. The national curriculum working group on history made its recommendations, and my right hon. Friend is consulting widely on its published report. In the light of responses he will make his proposals for attainment targets and programmes of study for school history, which will then be the subject of the statutory consultation conducted by the National Curriculum Council.