To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform what assessment he has made of whether the number of Mandarin speakers in the UK will be enough to cope with the expected level of trade growth between the UK and China in the next 20 years. (149998)

The Government place great importance on developing the skills base of the United Kingdom and recognises the value of foreign languages.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families is leading on a number of initiatives to promote the Chinese language and culture in the UK educational system.

The recent Qualifications and Curriculum Authority review announced plans to free up requirements in languages so that schools can offer major world languages such as Mandarin, at Key Stage 3.

In addition, the Government are actively encouraging better understanding of Chinese business practices and culture. UK Trade and Investment, along with our partners at the China-Britain Business Council provide a wide range of practical services to support British companies to trade with, and invest in China. This includes support on the ground from Mandarin speakers. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform however does not make assessments on foreign language capacity of the workforce.