89. Miss Wardasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that the one chair of Russian History in this country has been vacant since before the war; and, in view of the desire of the people of this country to have an informed knowledge of the Russian people, will he take immediate steps to provide an adequate number of chairs?
§ Captain McEwen (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. The filling of the Chair of Russian Language, Literature and History at the School of Slavonic and East European Studies is a matter for the authorities of the school. I understand that the reason why it is vacant is that no candidate regarded as suitable is at present available. In the meanwhile teaching has been carried on by honorary lecturers. The establishment of further chairs in Russian history would be a matter for the authorities of the various universities, who however would be bound to take into consideration the availability of sufficiently qualified candidates in a subject which has not hitherto been widely studied in this country.
Miss WardHave not the Government of Great Britain some responsibility in the matter, and will the Government turn their attention to tins important question?
§ Captain McEwenI think that the question of responsibility has been acknowledged in the answer.