§ 20. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the financial and other assistance given by his Education Department during each of the last 10 years to schools under his jurisdiction for the teaching of languages other than English.
§ Mr. NobleIt is not practicable to extract the cost of this particular aspect of school work from the general expenditure on schools. Nor is it practicable to cover within the limits of an Answer the various other kinds of assistance that are given.
§ Mr. HughesIn these days of close international relationships, when Scotland is making every effort to increase her international trade, more attention should be paid to the languages of Northern Europe, particularly Scandinavia, with which Scotland has close trade, industrial and commercial ties which she is trying to develop still further. Will the right hon. Gentleman encourage the teaching of these languages for this purpose?
§ Mr. NobleI agree with the hon. and learned Gentleman about the importance 1230 of foreign languages. We are doing our best to encourage this, and I am glad that he supports us.