To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will carry out a meta-analysis of the relative effectiveness of (a) analytic and (b) synthetic phonics teaching methods. [135021]

The phonics seminar which the Department held in March 2003 and Professor Greg Brooks' report, published in August, have made a very significant contribution towards ensuring a clearer understanding of the research on phonics and its implications for the National Literacy Strategy. The Department is considering Professor Brooks' recommendations for additional research, which will be assessed against other research priorities.