§ 45. Mr. Albuasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of members in each grade on the staff of our High Commissioner in Germany who do not speak the German language and who have been given permanent appointments.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Ernest Davies)No permanent appointments are being made in the Control Commission, and I assume that my hon. Friend is referring to those officers who have been given engagements for periods up to 10 years. Of the 50 officers so far engaged all have some knowledge of the German language, but in 16 cases it is not considerable.
§ Mr. AlbuDoes not my hon. Friend agree that it is highly desirable that the senior members of the High Commissioner's staff who are given long-term appointments should have a good knowledge of the German language, so as to avoid misunderstanding when dealing with the German authorities?
§ Mr. DaviesThat may be true in a vast number of cases, but there are other technical and administrative posts which do not require a knowledge of German.