To ask the Secretary of State for Wales if he intends to examine the needs and provision of in-service teacher training in relation to the requirements of the national curriculum in Wales.

Yesterday I approved the setting up of an advisory group to act as forum for the exchange of ideas, view points and initiatives on national curriculum teacher training and related activities.The membership will consist of representatives from local authorities, the Welsh Joint Education Committee, the Curriculum Council for Wales and other bodies currently involved in the field of education. This group will have the status of an advisory non-departmental public body.