HC Deb 08 March 1999 vol 327 cc76-7W
Miss McIntosh

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment (1) what plans he has to end the statutory requirement for 14 to 16-year-old pupils to be taught a foreign language; [75410]

(2) if he will make a statement on the requirement for compulsory foreign language study as part of the national curriculum. [75411]

Ms Estelle Morris

We have no plans to end the statutory requirement for 14 to 16-year-olds to be taught a modern foreign language. We recognise the importance of foreign language learning and are considering ways of strengthening its teaching in schools.