§ 35. Mr. HALL-CAINEasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether every commercial councillor and commercial secretary of the first or second grade has a fluent knowledge of the language of the country to which he is accredited; and, if not, what steps he is taking to ensure that such fluent knowledge shall be possessed by such individuals before any future appointments are made?
§ Lieut.-Colonel COLVILLELike my hon. Friend, I attach the greatest importance to the knowledge of foreign languages. Of the 40 officers constituting the grades mentioned, 37 are thoroughly conversant with the language of the country in which they are serving. In view of the number of languages required, and of other considerations involved, it is not always possible to appoint an officer already conversant with the local language. In such exceptional cases, the officer appointed undertakes to acquire without delay such a knowledge as the circumstances of the post demand.