asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research has been conducted by his Department into methods of raising standards in primary schools in inner city areas.

The Government's policy, as set out in the White Paper "Better Schools", is to raise standards in all schools, including primary schools in inner city areas, and a number of research projects currently being funded by the Department will contribute towards that objective. In addition, pilot projects to improve the quality of education in selected primary schools in deprived urban areas have been approved for education support grant starting in 1985–86 in 12 local education authorities. These will cost approximately £3 million and will last from three to five years. Reports on the projects will be available to other schools and authorities.