To ask the Minister of Education for his assessment of the proposed changes to the English proposals to measure schools' examination results by awarding each grade achieved an individual score, rather than assessments based on the number of pupils achieving A*-C grades.

There are fundamental differences between the approach taken here and the approach taken in England given that we do not use league tables.

The Department for Education in England is at liberty to take forward changes to its performance measures and there may be lessons that we can draw upon from its research.

The English proposals will continue to be based on exam results and we have a number of questions about the impact the proposed measures may have on decisions relating to pupils' subject choices and examination entries.

I agree that the range and nature of accountability measures should be under continual review.

My Department is currently considering a number of options in this area and it is likely that I will wish to consult on these in due course.