§ 43. Mr. DAYasked the President of the Board of Education whether he will consider affording means in our educational system for an improvement in the 636 teaching of modern languages, so that our trades will have their staffs better trained to undertake, salesmanship abroad?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of EDUCATION (Mr. Oliver Stanley)My Department is constantly occupied in considering means of improving the teaching of all subjects of the curriculum, including modern languages, and with this end in view they are in frequent consultation with representatives of industry and commerce in order to ascertain their needs. I do not doubt that the importance of modern languages, both as a cultural subject, and regarded from the point of view of salesmanship abroad, is fully appreciated by local education authorities and governing bodies.
§ Mr. DAYDoes the Minister agree that there is need for improvement in the system of teaching languages?
§ Mr. C. BROWNIn view of the present state of world affairs, will the Minister consider teaching Russian in the schools?
§ Captain PLUGGEIs it not a fact that foreign broadcasting stations provide ample opportunity for the learning of modern languages?