HC Deb 31 July 1963 vol 682 c118W
Sir R. Thompson

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation who conducted the extensive trial of Basic English in Cyprus in 1950; what were the results; and who authorised the decision that no further use of this method of teaching should be made.

Mr. R. Carr

Extensive trials of Basic English in Cyprus began in 1940. The Government of Cyprus was responsible for the trials and for the decision that no further use of the method should be made.

The Department of Education in Cyprus had some assistance from the British Council.

As a result of the trials the Government of Cyprus formed the opinion that Greek Cypriots had insufficient interest in Basic and were unwilling to learn this form of English.