asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has specific proposals for a scheme for teacher assessment; and if he will make a statement.

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what progress he has made in his plans to introduce the regular assessment of teachers' performances; and if he will make a statement.

I have invited views on a clarification of teachers' contractual duties which I believe should include a duty to take part in appraisal arrangements operated by the local education authorities. As announced in "Better Schools" (Cmnd. 9469), the Government propose to seek the power to require authorities regularly to appraise the performance of their teachers.