§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he has any plans to amend the national curriculum to include health education; and if he will make a statement about the role of health education in all schools.
§ Mr. ButcherHealth education has been identified by the Government as an important cross-curricular theme to be covered within the national curriculum. When the order for national curriculum science is laid this will include explicit requirements for pupils to cover relevant aspects of health education. Other foundation subjects will cover different aspects of health education, as appropriate. My right hon. Friend has also asked the National Curriculum Council to advise him on the place and content of personal and social education, including health education, within the curriculum as a whole. The council has been asked to submit a progress report on its work by the end of March.