asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to increase productivity in educational techniques in schools.

The Schools Council for the Curriculum and Examinations is engaged on a far-ranging programme of work on the school curriculum and teaching methods and the Department is grant-aiding a large number of research projects in the same field.Her Majesty's Inspectors arrange courses for teachers which help to keep them up-to-date with teaching techniques, and they give regular advice to the schools on the use and development of audio-visual aids. The Department is also supporting the Experimental Development Unit of the Educational Foundation for Visual Aids, which has issued several reports available to teachers and local education authorities.