§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Defence how many interpreters and translators of the Russian language are employed within the Royal Navy and its Reserve; what proposals have been made in respect of future numbers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. StanleyAbout 50 serving Royal Navy personnel and about 20 Royal Naval Reserve personnel are qualified as Russian language interpreters or linguists. The new Defence school of languages at RAEC Beaconsfield, to be established on 1 January 1985, will provide a cost-effective means of ensuring a supply of suitably qualified personnel to meet our future requirements.