§ 26. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to encourage the study of Russian, mid-European and Asiatic languages in schools with special relation to their professional, business and industrial uses.
§ Miss BaconThe Schools Council is conducting a large scale curriculum development project in modern languages including Russian. There is also a Committee on Research and Development in Modern Languages which examines the need for research and development and stimulates them where necessary. The demands of industry and commerce for skills in particular languages are taken into account.
§ Mr. HughesI thank my right hon. Friend for that reply. Will she recognise a further aspect of the age in which we live, which is an international age? What steps is she taking to enable children to become fit to live and work in this international age?
§ Miss BaconI can assure my hon. and learned Friend that that is precisely what we are doing.
§ Miss QuennellCan the right hon. Lady tell the House whether the Council's terms of reference include inquiries into the supply of teachers of Asiatic and Slavonic languages as well?
§ Miss BaconI could not answer that without notice. Perhaps the hon. Lady will put down a Question.