§ Sir Michael NeubertTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what additional proposals she has for the study of English language in schools.
§ Mr. Simon CoombsTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what steps she is taking to improve the standard of spoken and written English in schools.
§ Mr. Robin SquireMy right hon. Friend has announced that she intends to accept in full Sir Ron Dearing's recommendations for the revised national curriculum. In English, there will be clear and more rigorous requirements for pupils to be taught written and spoken standard English, with a greater emphasis on grammar, spelling, and punctuation. For the first time, there will also be a requirement to pay proper attention to correct English across the curriculum. A full announcement will be made shortly and the revised curriculum will be implemented in September 1995 for five to 14-year-olds and from September 1996 for 14 to 16-year-olds.