HC Deb 21 February 1963 vol 672 cc612-3
7. Mr. H. Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations how many members of his Department, serving in Commonwealth countries in Africa, speak an African language.

Mr. Tilney

Sixteen Sir, though the degree of individual fluency naturally varies.

Mr. Clark

Does my hon. Friend think this figure really adequate to run efficient High Commissions in view of the very large size of the vernacular Press and the increasing use of African in ceremonial and formal speeches?

Mr. Tilney

This question has arisen only comparatively recently and action has been taken to improve incentives for people to learn languages.

8. Mr. H. Clark

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what incentives are offered to encourage members of his Department to learn additional languages when serving in Commonwealth countries the majority of whose population does not speak English.

Mr. Tilney

Tuition fees are paid for officers learning specified local languages. A scheme for language proficiency allowances is now being worked out.

Mr. Clark

While thanking my hon. Friend for that reply and being delighted to hear that progress is being made, may I ask if he does not think it time that concrete steps were taken, since India joined the Commonwealth so long ago and more than half the population of the Commonwealth now do not speak English?

Mr. Tilney

I believe that action is being taken.

Mr. Healey

Is it not an extraordinary confession by the hon. Gentleman that action is only now being considered although India has been independent for 15 years and African countries have been independent for nearly 10 years and the Foreign Office has had a scheme on these lines for the last 50 years which the Commonwealth Relations Office might well have copied and taken over just as it stands?

Mr. Tilney

We have a hard language training scheme which was started last year, and we manage to send officers for language courses to academic institutions in this country, such as the School of Oriental and African studies. I agree with the hon. Member that it is time action was taken.

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