Welsh Affairs

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 5:09 pm on 28 February 1991.

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Photo of Mr David Hunt Mr David Hunt , Wirral West 5:09, 28 February 1991

My hon. Friend and I have been monitoring the situation carefully. As the hon. Gentleman will know, we have devoted additional resources to in-service training, which we consider to be a key part of our overall strategy to ensure that the policy works.

I am sure that the decision to afford Welsh such a prominent place in the national curriculum will do a great deal to safeguard its future. We have also published our plans for teaching history and geography in Wales, where again we have been able to ensure that it has a specific Welsh dimension.

Turning to the management of education within the Principality, I was very pleased that I was able to announce that I had approved the first application by a school to opt for grant-maintained status. I hope that many more schools will follow suit. There was a general welcome from those most concerned for my decision to take the higher education sector in Wales under the direct control of the Welsh Office. I am sure that this development will give the Polytechnic of Wales and the other higher education institutions the opportunity to expand and to develop their activities.