Written question asked by Sue Doughty (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 18 October 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 26 October 2004. It was answered by Stephen Twigg (Labour) on Tuesday, 26 October 2004 on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills.

Dept for Education and Skills

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the future of GCSE Archaeology following the decision taken by AQA not to offer this qualification from 2006. - Inc ref to 15 September 2004, 424 c1605-6W. (Holding answer 21 October 2004).

Answer: Sue Doughty: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills if he will make a statement on the Government's policy on the future of GCSE Archaeology following the decision taken by AQA not to offer this qualification from 2006. [193138] Mr. Stephen Twigg :[holding answer 21 October 2004]: I would refer the hon. Member to the written answer given by the Secretary of State to my hon. Friend the Member for Braintree on 15 September 2004, Official Report, column 1606W. I must reiterate the point made by Secretary of State in his answer that awarding bodies such as AQA are independent organisations and as such Ministers have no powers to dictate which subjects they offer.

Secondary information