§ Mr. Bruce GeorgeTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will make a statement on the future of the GCSE in nautical studies; and what consultation his Department has held on proposed changes. [115861]
§ Mr. WicksThe Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is working with the awarding bodies to develop advice on the list of GCSE titles to be offered from 2001. No decisions have been reached at this stage. If proposals are made to remove titles from the approved list, QCA will seek the views of interested organisations before submitting final recommendations. We shall consider QCA's advice very carefully before decisions are made.