asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what information he has as to the progress of the Cockcroft inquiry into teaching of mathematics in secondary schools in England; and if he will make a statement.

The Cockcroft committee, whose terms of reference relate to the teaching of mathematics in both primary and secondary schools in England and Wales, has received some 750 submissions of written evidence and is currently taking oral evidence. The committee is aware of my wish that it should complete its work as quickly as possible, and it hopes to submit its report by about the end of this year.