HC Deb 02 July 1941 vol 372 cc1370-1W
Mr. Lipson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many of the British officials in Turkey can speak Turkish and how many have no knowledge of that language?

Mr. Butler

On the Diplomatic Staff of His Majesty's Embassy at Ankara, there are two officials who speak Turkish, as well as two higher officials on the Commercial Diplomatic side of the Mission. The great majority of the clerical staff speak Turkish. There are two Consulates-General and six Consulates under the supervision of His Majesty's Ambassador. The great majority of the officials at these posts speak Turkish. There are of course many other British officials in Turkey at the present time on temporary employment under Ministries other than the Foreign Office, regarding whose linguistic qualifications I can give no information.