HC Deb 31 October 1988 vol 139 cc466-7W
Mr. Holt

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many passes were achieved in GCSE or A-levels last academic year in(a) Chinese, (b) Japanese, (c) Arabic and (d) Korean.

Mrs. Rumbold

The information in the table relates to all graded results at O-level/CSE and A-level in England in 1987. Korean is not identified separately in the data submitted to the Department. Comparable information for 1988 is not yet available centrally.

England—1987
Chinese Japanese Arabic
Number of graded results1 at O-level/CSE 350 10 120
Number of passes at A-level 350 80 nil
1 O-level grades A-E, CSE grades 1–5.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science how many foreign language assistants are presently employed in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The number of foreign language assistants presently employed in England and Wales is 2,168.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science when he last met representatives from the Institute of Foreign Language Teachers to discuss the conditions of employment of foreign language assistants in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Neither I nor my right hon. Friend have met representatives of the Institute of Foreign Language Teachers. My Department however plans to undertake a review of the terms and conditions of foreign language assistant appointments, in consultation with the Central Bureau for Educational Visits and Exchanges and the local authority associations.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what plans he has to increase the recruitment of foreign language assistants in maintained schools in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

Responsibility for the recruitment of foreign language assistants in maintained schools lies with local education authorities. The Government accord a high priority to extending the study of modern languages in schools and attach value to the contribution such assistants can make. I hope that these appointments will be given their due priority by authorities.

Mr. Fatchett

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science what is the current salary scale in force for foreign language assistants in England and Wales; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Rumbold

The allowance currently paid to foreign language assistants is £3,212. The level is set by my Department and is uprated annually in line with the increase in the level of mandatory students' awards.