Languages seek inquiry

Modern language specialists are calling on Iain Gray, Scotland's minister for enterprise, transport and lifelong learning, to launch an inquiry into funding for their subject. Gordon Millan, chair of the University Council of Modern Languages Scotland, said that there was a belief that the number of language students was falling. But a survey carried out by UCML Scotland reveals that numbers are rising. Professor Millan said that virtually every modern language department was in serious deficit and that staff numbers were dwindling as institutions failed to refill posts to make savings.