§ Mr. Alex CarlileTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what criteria he used in devising the new compulsory code of practice for the General Certificate of Secondary Education; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. ForthMy right hon. Friend has asked the School Examinations and Assessment Council (SEAC) to prepare the code in consultation with the Joint Council for the GCSE. Its purpose will be to increase the transparency of the examining process in order to secure standards and maintain public confidence in the GCSE. It will cover the matters identified in SEAC's advice on quality and standards in the GCSE, published on 20 October.