My Lords, phonics teaching is at the centre of the national literacy strategy and has been since its beginning in 1998. However, we are always anxious to learn from best practice, because our only concern in this matter is that the maximum number of children should learn to read as soon as possible.

We have asked Mr Jim Rose, a distinguished former deputy chief inspector of schools, to examine the evidence on different methods of teaching phonics in primary schools, including the experience of the Clackmannanshire experiment in Scotland, to see if there are lessons that can be learned. He will report to us at the beginning of next year and we will make any appropriate changes in the literacy framework following that report.

So far as prisons and adult literacy are concerned, we place great importance on tackling the problems of literacy in prisons and it is a high priority of my department.