HC Deb 19 May 2003 vol 405 cc547-8W
Mr. Brady

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills how many pupils have(a) been entered for and (b) taken a General Studies A-level in each of the last five years; and what estimate he has made of the number who will sit the exam this year. [109422]

Mr. Miliband

The following table shows the number of 16 to 18-year-old candidates who attempted GCE A-level General Studies in 1998 to 2002.

Number of 16 to 18-year-old candidates attempting GCE A-level General Studies
1998 78,971
1999 84,411
2000 87,765
2001 90,874
2002 58,311

Estimates of the number of candidates who will sit General Studies GCE A level in 2002/03 are not available.

Mr. Damian Green

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills when he will publish the agreement between his Department, QCA and the awarding bodies in line with clause 95 of the Tomlinson Inquiry into A-level Standards to establish clear lines of responsibility and accountability. [110103]

Mr. Miliband

We will publish a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department and QCA shortly.