§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will define the expression "poor literacy skills", used in paragraph 1.12 of the Red Book; and if he will provide comparable figures for(a) 1995, (b) 1996, (c) 1997 and (d) 1998. [80850]
§ Dawn PrimaroloOver 1994–95, twelve countries took part in an International Adult Literacy Survey. The ranges of scores achieved by representative samples of each population aged 16 to 65 were grouped into five proficiency levels, of which level 1 indicated people with very poor literacy skills.
Within the UK sample, 21.8 per cent. achieved only level 1 in prose literacy, which was defined as the knowledge and skills needed to understand and use information from printed texts, whereas the proportion of the German sample at this level was 14.4 per cent.
There are no comparable figures for later years.
588W
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the civil servants who reviewed the Red Book to ensure its objectivity; and if he will publish the guidelines on which such judgments are made. [80888]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Red Book is a Government document approved by Ministers under the 'Guidance on the Work of the Government Information Service' issued by the Cabinet Office.
§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will list the new opportunities referred to in paragraph 1.22 of the Red Book. [80854]
§ Dawn PrimaroloThe Government's aim is to ensure that every family and child has the opportunity to fulfil their potential by tackling the causes of inequality of opportunity. It is promoting employment opportunity for parents through the New Deals and by making work pay. This will reduce worklessness, a major cause of childhood disadvantage. It is also investing in early years learning and education to ensure that every child will have the chance to succeed in later life.