§ Mr. Fallonasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what steps he is taking to promote and support the teaching of foreign languages; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Keith JosephBritain's membership of the European Community and her place as a trading nation make a strong capacity in foreign languages essential and the Government attaches importance to the teaching of 541W such languages. We have announced our intention to issue later this year a statement of policy on foreign language teaching in schools in England and Wales.
We also attach importance to the support of foreign language teaching; and I therefore intend to continue to make available funding to the centre for information on language teaching and research for its work in this area. However, in the context of public expenditure restraint, I wish to ensure that CILT's grant — which stands at £386,551 in 1985–86—is put to the best possible use and that the scope for possible savings is identified. I am therefore initiating—in association with my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Scotland and Northern Ireland, whose Departments also contribute to CILT's grant—a joint exploration with CILT and its clients of ways of improving value for money.
A copy of the consultative letter which is being issued today has been placed in the Library.