To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills pursuant to his answer to question 97151, what his assessment is of the interrelation of the finding in Mike Tomlinson's final report into A level standards that criterion-referencing has significant implications for the design of the A level framework with proposed changes to the 14–19 curriculum, as outlined in the Excellence for All White Paper. [99726]

As recommended by the final report of the inquiry into A level Standards, the QCA is establishing an independent committee to advise publicly on whether or not standards are being maintained. The 14–19 Working Group, chaired by Mike Tomlinson, will be considering how best to ensure that reformed 14–19 learning programmes reflect the need to maintain standards over time.