§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what representations he has682W received urging that Indic languages be specified as eligible for the modern foreign languages foundation subject; what ethnic minority representatives and other interested parties he is meeting to discuss this matter; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. RumboldIndic languages are among those specified as eligible for inclusion in the national curriculum, within the framework of the proposals announced by my right hon. Friend in his reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Knapman) on 3 March at columns338 and 339. Since that announcement, my right hon. Friend has received a small number of representations on this matter, including one from the hon. Member for Bradford, West (Mr. Madden). The proposals already take account of earlier representations about the inclusion of Indic languages, which had been received after the passage of the Education Reform Act. My right hon. Friend has no present plans to meet ethnic minority representatives or other parties, but will consider carefully any further representations made during the consultation period on the proposals.