§ Ms. ArmstrongTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has, following his recent visit to the Soviet Union, concerning the teaching of Russian in particular and modern languages in general in secondary schools.
§ Mrs. RumboldThe Government's policy on modern foreign languages in the school curriculum was set out in the January 1988 policy statement, a copy of which I am sending to the hon. Member. The national curriculum will include a modern foreign language as a foundation subject at secondary level to be studied by each pupil between the ages of 11 and 16. Within this framework, my right hon. Friend is encouraging a greater diversity of languages offered in the school curriculum, and would like to see Russian taught more widely among them.