HC Deb 21 June 1972 vol 839 cc130-1W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science in 1971 how many students obtained degrees in modern foreign languages; how many obtained A level passes or better; how many obtained O level passes or better; and how many obtained Certificate of Secondary Education passses or better.

Mr. van Straubenzee

During 1971, 5,576 first degrees and higher degrees in modern foreign languages were awarded in Great Britain.

In the same year the following number of passes were awarded in modern languages by the English and Welsh GCE and CSE examining boards.

A level passes … 28,845
O level passes … 144,749
CSE-Grade 5 passes or better … 68,524

Many students who took GCE and CSE examinations will have passed in more than one modern language subject. These figures are therefore much higher than the numbers of students who passed these examinations. The latter figures are not available.