HC Deb 21 June 1988 vol 135 cc521-2W
23. Mr. Latham

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science whether he will make a statement on the intended time scale for the introduction of foreign language teaching as an internal part of the national curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

My right hon. Friend expects to require all pupils in the first three years of secondary school to study a modern foreign language for a reasonable time from autumn 1989. A similar requirement for pupils in years four and five will be introduced as soon as possible thereafter, taking account of pupil's commitments to studies for GCSE. The introduction of attainment targets, programmes of study and related assessment arrangements must await the setting up of a working group for modern foreign languages. My right hon. Friend has no immediate plans to set up such a group. His decision to do so will depend on factors such as the outlook for teacher supply and deployment.

27. Mr. Holt

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many(a) primary and (b) secondary schools in north-east England teach (i) Japanese, (ii) Arabic and (iii) Latin as a normal part of their curriculum.

Mrs. Rumbold

This information is not collected centrally.