HC Deb 02 June 1942 vol 380 c537W
Sir W. Smithers

asked the Secretary of State for War whether he will supply the Minister of Information with the names of officers, serving and retired, who have special knowledge of foreign languages; and, so that their qualifications may be used to the best advantage, make arrangements to second those that are wanted for service with the Ministry of Information?

Sir J. Grigg

Since such a list would run into thousands of names and would contain those of many senior officers holding important appointments in the Army and those of many young active officers, who are better placed in the Field Army, I do not think its compilation would be useful. The War Office, however, is and has always been in close touch with the Ministry of Information on the subject of linguists and has sent periodically to the Ministry the names of officers who, it was thought, might be of use to them.