asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research his Department is carrying out or sponsoring into the success of vertical grouping as a teaching method in infant and primary schools.

The Department is not carrying out or directly sponsoring any research aimed specifically at this method, but a study of pupil groupings is part of the normal programme of work of Her Majesty's Inspectorate. The Schools Council which is grant-aided by the Department and local education authorities, is sponsoring an inquiry into open plan schools, part of which will be a survey of pupil groupings.