58. Sir J. D. REESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether any, and, if so, how many of the members of the British Trade Mission are officially qualified Russian interpreters?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEAs my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade informed the hon. Member for Islington on the 9th June, the proposed members of the Commercial Mission to Russia all have a thorough knowledge of the Russian language, both written and spoken.
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI think that they have the full qualification of men who have had a long experience in Russia and are fluent speakers and writers of the language.
Sir J. D. REESDoes the hon. and gallant Gentleman realise that many men have spent long lives in Russia and have not learned a word of Russian?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEYes, but the difference is that these officers have spent many years in Russia and have become fluently acquainted with the language.
Sir J. D. REESWhat is the use of the Russian interpreters who have been given 1802 rewards by the Government and have never done a stitch of work in their lives?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI really cannot say whether the premises on which my hon. Friend bases his question or his conclusions are correct, but these officers have been specially selected for their knowledge of the Russian language and for their experience of Russian business.