New Clause 2
Education and Inspections Bill
5:45 pm
Nick Gibb (Shadow Minister (Schools), Education; Bognor Regis and Littlehampton, Conservative)
I am listening with interest to hon. Lady and I am sure that I will agree with almost everything that she says. What is interesting and alarming, however, is that 23 per cent. of the general population are not at the required reading level. That is the real figure to worry about. Of that group, a large chunk will go on to commit crime. Although I am unlikely to disagree with the hon. Lady’s conclusions, should we not focus on dealing with that 23 per cent. illiteracy rate?