To ask the Secretary of State for Children, Schools and Families whether any (a) GCSE and (b) A-level examinations will be marked overseas in whole or in part in 2008; whether any have been in 2007; and if he will make a statement. (172762)

This information is not collected centrally. The qualifications regulators require awarding bodies to ensure that all examiners and markers, irrespective of background or location, are trained and standardised in line with the requirements of the GCSE, GCE, GNVQ and AEA Code of Practice. The qualifications regulators monitor awarding bodies’ compliance with this requirement.

In 2007 all examiners (individuals with subject expertise who are responsible for marking candidates’ responses) were based in the UK. There are no plans to use examiners in other countries in 2008. Some clerical work such as the copy typing of one word hand-written answers, so that they could be read by computer, was carried out overseas in summer 2007.