§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the increasing demand for the teaching of English in most developing countries, and in view of the outstanding contribution of the British Council to meeting this demand, if he will ensure that the Council has funds to expand this service.
§ Mr. PadleyHer Majesty's Government recognises the increasing demand for English language teaching and are willing to offer all practicable help using the resources of the British Council and other agencies active in this field. The British Council's resources have been considerably expanded in the last few years to enable them to recruit the specialist staff needed to meet this demand. In deciding the scale of the British Council's grant-in-aid, however, it is necessary to take into account the various competing pressures on the overseas balance of payments.