§ Sir P. Hannonasked the Minister of Education if she will make a statement on the provisions which have been made for the teaching of the Spanish and Portuguese languages in certain secondary schools; if she realises the urgency of this matter in relation to the expansion of 134W British export trade with Latin America; and if she will place in the Library a copy of the instructions issued to local bodies on the teaching of these languages.
§ Miss Wilkinson:Provision is already made in various secondary grammar schools for the teaching of Spanish and the number of candidates taking this subject in the examinations has risen appreciably. I understand also that courses in Spanish and Portuguese are being arranged by the Instituto Espanol and the Hispanic Council. I am aware of the importance of encouraging a study of these languages and so, I am confident, are local education and school authorities. I do not think that special directions are called for.