The python-xlrd package is maintained by Thomas Bläsing and the DPMT, but the packaged version is quite old. A PAPT thread from last year suggests that Thomas Bläsing is missing in action [1].
I've prepared a new version of the package, using a patch from the bug tracker, the latest upstream version, and adding a python3- package. Does anyone object to me committing this to the DPMT SVN repository, and seeking sponsorship for the new version?