§ Mr. GibbTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to her answer of 25 September 2003, question number 130710, what her plans are to commission specific research on the commercial effects of the decline in uptake of modern languages; and what representations she has received on this subject from United Kingdom businesses with foreign market interests. [132283]
§ Ms HewittThe DTI do not at present have any plans to commission specific research on the commercial effects of a decline in the uptake of modern languages; and we have received no formal representations from282W business on this matter. The DfES are working with a range of partners, including ourselves, the Sector Skills Development Agency and the Learning Skills Council to monitor this issue and to develop strategies to deal with it should it appear to become a significant problem.