§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Education what provision is currently available in each European Union member state for the teaching of foreign languages to children under 12 years of age. [21003]
§ Mr. ForthMy Department does not collect information about the teaching of foreign languages in other European Union countries. I understand that relevant information can be found in the EURYDICE publication "The teaching of modern foreign languages in primary and secondary education in the European Community', which is available from the Eurydice Unit London, National Foundation for Educational Research, The Mere, Upton Park, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 2DQ.
In England and Wales, the national curriculum requires that all children must learn a modern foreign language from the first year of secondary education, that is, when the majority of pupils are 11 years old. Primary schools in England and Wales are not required to teach modern foreign languages and my Department does not collect information on the matter.
The hon. Gentleman may be interested to know, however, that the Centre for Information on Language Teaching and Research recently carried out a survey, "Modern Foreign Languages in Primary Schools', which covered England, Wales, Northern Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man. Fifty-three out of 125 local education authorities responded. The results showed that some 1,919 primary schools, or 22 per cent. of those in the sample, provided some foreign language tuition.
486Wreports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meeting and (e) registers of members' interests; and whether in each case this is (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary. [20491]
§ Mr. BoswellThe information requested is shown in the table.
Questions about educational provision in Scotland and Northern Ireland should be addressed to the Secretaries of State for Scotland and for Northern Ireland.