asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on his plans to promote the professional effectiveness of teachers.

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

The Government intend to introduce legislation with this aim during the current session. The new Education Bill will provide for the extension of my right hon. Friend power to grant-aid in-service training for teachers. Provision will also be made to enable my right hon. Friend to require local education authorities regularly to appraise the performance of their teachers. Whether, and if so when and how, this enabling power will be used will depend on circumstances, including the extent to which progress can be made towards introducing appraisal by agreement between teachers and their employers.