asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what new proposals she intends to bring forward in the light of the Prime Minister's speech on education at Oxford on 18th October.

Following discussions over the next three or 4 months, my Department will put forward proposals as a basis for further consultation.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science when she expects to announce firm policy proposals for raising educational standards.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what practical measures she intends to take to improve the standards of attainment of pupils in schools in England and Wales.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what proposals for policy changes she proposes to bring forward in the light of the Prime Minister's speech on education at Oxford on 18th October.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what measures she proposes to take to ensure that school leavers and students are better fitted with the skills necessary for working life.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what contribution she proposes to make to the national debate on education recently joined by the Prime Minister.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans she has for encouraging local education authorities and teachers to place more emphasis on the place of mathematics, the sciences and engineering in their school and college curricula.

As I stated in reply to a Question by the hon. Member for Conway (Mr Roberts) on 26th October—[Vol. 918, c. 107]—during the next three or four months I intend to discuss the school curriculum and the maintenance of educational standards with organisations representing teachers, their employers, industry and the TUC. These discussions will be followed early next year by wider consultation on specific proposals. The Government's policy on curricula and standards in schools will be announced as soon as possible thereafter.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many letters she has received from the general public since the Prime Minister's speech on education at Oxford on Monday 18th October.

To date my Department has received 131 letters relating directly to the Prime Minister's speech.