§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement from the latest information available on the progress and activities of the British Council in Turkey?
§ Mr. LawThe expansion of English classes is limited only by the difficulties experienced in securing sufficient staff. The total number of pupils of the Council in Turkey has increased from 1,500 in 1941 to 3,500 in the present year. Four British professors recommended by the Council now occupy chairs at Istanbul726W University and three further appointments are pending. Lending libraries of British books have been opened by the Council in Angora, Istanbul and Smyrna, and the Council's representative reports an ever growing demand for information about Britain and the English language.
§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement on the basis of the latest information available on the activities of the British Council in the Middle East; and if the Institute at Cairo continues to function in its varied activities?
§ Mr. LawThe activities of the British Council in the Middle East have not been curtailed. The Council's Institutes in Egypt are normally closed during the hot weather, but this year the Institutes in Cairo, Alexandria and Port Said have remained open with a reduced staff. No English classes are being held, but the libraries are open and social activities continue. It is hoped that the English classes will be resumed in all the institutes in September. Full particulars of the work of the Council in the Middle East will be found in the annual and quarterly reports of the Council which are available in the Library of the House.