§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the number of secondary school language teachers which the Government project is needed for 1989–90, 1990–91, 1991–92 and 1992–93.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 December 1988]: The current projections are:
Number 1989–90 1,910 1990–91 1,880 1991–92 1,880 1992–93 1,890 These projections fall to be revised in detail in the light of the Government's intentions for the teaching of modern languages in secondary schools. By 1992–93 I expect the number of modern languages teachers to rise to about 2,300.
§ Mrs. Margaret EwingTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what is the Government's proposed intake for teacher training for modern language specialists for 1989–90, 1990–91 and 1991–92.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 12 December 1988]: My right hon. and learned Friend prescribes each year the total number of postgraduate students to be accepted by colleges of education for secondary teacher training; intakes are not set for specific disciplines. The Government will ensure that colleges are made aware of their projections of the number of foreign languages teachers required in forward years. It is then for each college to consult its local education authorities about their detailed requirements, taking full account of the pool of trained teachers already available, and to determine its intake of language graduates accordingly.