§ 48. Mr. Toucheasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that the committee appointed by the Prime Minister in 1939 to inquire into the best means of teaching English to foreigners has not yet met; and whether, in these circumstances, it is proposed either to get this committee to function or to terminate is existence.
§ Mr. AttleeThis committee was appointed in August, 1939, but never started work. In common with many other peaceful enterprises, it had to give way to more urgent tasks on the outbreak of war. Since then, the Committee of Ministers on Basic English, of which my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister gave the House some account on 9th March, has made some recommendations in this field. This being so, it is not proposed to resuscitate the 1939 Committee, and notification in this sense is being sent to the members.
§ Sir H. WilliamsWould it not be as well to use this Committee to come to decisions on the Scott, Uthwatt and Barlow Reports as the Government do not appear to be able to do so?