Science Students (Russian Courses)

HC Deb 06 December 1962 vol 668 cc209-10W

18. Mr. MacDermot

asked the Minister of Education what steps he is taking to ensure that a proportion of would-be scientists are studying Russian.

Sir E. Boyle

The need for many science students at all levels to have some knowledge of Russian is generally accepted, and was emphasised in the recently published report of the Annan Committee. The number of students of all types taking Russian courses is in fact increasing. My major concern is to improve the supply of teachers of Russian generally and not only for the benefit of science students.