HC Deb 01 March 1994 vol 238 cc690-1W
Sir Michael Neubert

To ask the Secretary of State for Education whether he plans to include approved reading lists in the national curriculum for the teaching of English literature in schools.

Mr. Robin Squire

The School Curriculum and Assessment Authority is currently reviewing all 10 subjects of the national curriculum, including English, following Sir Ron Dearing's report on the national curriculum published in January. The authority is due to submit advice on a revised national curriculum to my right hon. Friend by the end of March. Proposals will be published in early May for consultation and my right hon. Friend will make final decisions, including on whether there should be reading lists in English, towards the end of the year, in the light of the consultation and of further advice from the authority.