§ Dr. GibsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will commission research into staff absenteeism rates in schools(a) prior to and (b) following OFSTED inspections. [60880]
§ Mr. Charles ClarkeThe Department's research programme is considered as a whole so that research priorities can be weighed against each other. The programme for 1999–2000 is under consideration and such research can be considered in that context, alongside other research priorities.