§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment how many students in higher education have an A Level in Turkish. [31655]
§ Dr. HowellsThe information requested is not held centrally. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) collects data on the entry qualifications of applicants to HE, and the latest data show that there were 43 students with an A level in Turkish who were accepted for entry to a first degree course in autumn 1997.
§ Mr. LoveTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if he will ensure that A Level Turkish will continue to be available after 1999; and if he will make a statement. [31656]
§ Dr. HowellsThe Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA) is working with the GCE A level examinations boards to develop new cost-effective arrangements for protecting small entry subjects, including A level Turkish. I am confident that these new arrangements will be agreed shortly.