§ Mr. David ShawTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he will make a statement on the current position with regard to the extent to which business and commercial subjects are taught in schools, the extent to which such subjects were taught in schools five and 10 years previously and the extent to which he envisages such subjects being taught in schools over the next 10 years.
§ Mrs. RumboldEstimates from the 1977 and 1984 secondary school staffing surveys show the following:
608W
Tuition in business studies (I) as a percentage of all tuition received in maintained secondary schools 1977 (England and Wales) 1984 (England) Year groups 1–3 * * 4–5 3.7 3.3 6th form 4.6 4.7 All year groups 1.7 1.6 *less than 0.1 per cent.
(1)Business studies includes commerce, accounts, bookkeeping, typing and shorthand.
Further information will be provided by the 1988 secondary school staffing survey, the results of which are expected to be available in the spring.