§ Mr. DafisTo ask the Secretary of State for Wales what consideration he gave to using the recommendations of the Curriculum Council for Wales as the basis for the new National Curriculum for English Order; for what reason the recommendations of the National Curriculum Council for England were selected; what representations he has received regarding the order; and if he will make a statement.
§ Sir Wyn RobertsOn 31 March the Curriculum Council for Wales submitted revised proposals for English and suggested two amendments to reflect, firstly, the distinctive literary heritage of Wales and, secondly, the diverse linguistic backgrounds of pupils in Wales. My right hon. Friend considered the recommendations carefully and responded on 14 April, asking the new Curriculum and Assessment Authority—ACAC, which replaced the Curriculum Council for Wales on 1 April—to proceed to consultations. A copy of the correspondence is contained in the proposals for English issued for consultation by the authority: this is available in the Library of the House. My right hon. Friend has asked the authority to report to him on the outcome of the consultation in Wales and to make final recommendations in the light of that consultation by 30 September. My right hon. Friend will consider carefully the authority's further report and recommendations in the autumn with a view to making a new order for English jointly with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Education.