§ Lord Molloyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy concerning the teaching of English to state school children whose first language is not English; and whether they plan any changes to the "Section 11" programme.
§ Baroness BlatchIt is a government priority that pupils whose first language is not English should be equipped with a good command of our language, so that they may have the same opportunities as others to profit from what schools can offer. We value highly the contribution made by teachers and others funded under Section 11 of the Local Government Act 1966. In the future, funding to meet the particular needs of ethnic minorities will be available from the Section 11 programme, and from wider regeneration programmes under the single regeneration budget.