Prime Minister's question asked in the House of Commons, by Stephen Hammond (Conservative). It was answered on Wednesday, 25 January 2006 on behalf of the Prime Minister.

Engagements

Question: Earlier, the Prime Minister spoke about the number of schools at which 70 per cent. of the pupils achieved five A to C grades. Is he aware that in my constituency no non-faith state secondary school achieves that? The dead hand of Merton local education authority deprives those pupils of achieving standards similar to those in surrounding boroughs. Will he assure my constituents that local authorities will be commissioners, not providers, of education services? Will he give trust schools the necessary autonomy to secure an increase in standards?

Answer: It will be important that we use the new powers to raise standards in the hon. Gentleman's constituency and elsewhere, but I am sure he will accept that one of the benefits of this Government is the massive investment in education. That has meant, for example, that in an area such as his, the number of 11-year-olds passing their exams has increased dramatically over the past few years; the number of 16-year-olds getting five good GCSEs—[Interruption.] It is true. In Merton and elsewhere, that is exactly what has happened. That is why the process of investment and reform will continue, but under this Government.

Secondary information