§ 14. Mrs. Cazalet Keirasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the importance of our future political and commercial relations with the countries of Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Asia and Africa, His Majesty's Government are contemplating any steps to improve the facilities at present available for learning about these countries.
§ Mr. LawYes, Sir. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attaches considerable importance to this subject, and, after consultation with other members of the Cabinet, he has set up an Inter-Departmental Commission of Inquiry, whose task it will be to examine the facilities offered by universities and other educational institutions in Great Britain for the study of Oriental, Slavonic, East European and African languages and culture, to consider what advantage is being taken of these facilities and to formulate recommendations for their improvement. Sir Roger Lumley has consented to be Chairman of the Commission, which has already started work.