To ask the Scottish Executive what the timetable is for the second stage of the review of initial teacher education and who will be commissioned to carry it out.

An appropriate remit, which addresses all the key issues, is currently being developed for the review. This development work includes a scoping review conducted by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Education, which was announced by the Minister for Education and Young People in October 2002. This scoping review work will be completed and presented to ministers following 1 May 2003. Thereafter, the 2nd stage of the review is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2003.

The process by which the review will be conducted, including by whom, is yet to be decided and will depend on the outcome of the scoping work.