To ask the Secretary of State for Education what assessment he has made of the potential effect on the quality of teachers of the withdrawal of funding for Master's-level continuous professional development for teachers.

The single most important determinant of a good education is for every child to be taught by good teachers. We recognise that teachers are our greatest asset and that their professional development is very important.

This Government's approach to teachers' professional development is based on research that shows that teachers learn best from other professionals through observing teaching, being observed, and receiving feedback from peers.

We are creating a national network of teaching schools on the model of teaching hospitals and launching a new scholarship scheme for teachers.

The Government's approach to teachers' professional development is outlined in the White Paper entitled ‘The Importance of Teaching’ published on 24 November 2010.