asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he has received any recent representations from teachers' unions in connection with the secondary school curriculum with special reference to the 14 to 16 year-old age group.

This subject has been raised at a number of recent meetings between Ministers and teachers' representatives. My right hon. Friend and I share the view expressed on several of those occasions that a greater practical element needs to be introduced into the education of young people, particularly during the last two years of compulsory schooling.