HC Deb 21 April 1978 vol 948 cc364-5W
Mr Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made developing German language coaching for the Services; and if he will make a statement.

Dr. Gilbert

We fully recognise the need for a more widespread knowledge of the German language within the Services. To this end, various steps have been or are about to be taken, including the following:

(1) Early in 1977 two additional instructors were authorised for RAF Germany's Language Training Centre at Rheindahlen. In addition, a new language laboratory is being built there which will increase the capacity by two-thirds. Work on this is expected to be completed by June 1978.

(2) The student capacity for colloquial German at the Army's Higher Education Centre at Mulheim was increased from 144 to 192 per annum in September 1977, and new language laboratories were completed last month.

(3) Colloquial courses in NATO languages, and in particular German, were started at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, in September 1977.

(4) In October 1977, a few officers on the Army staff course began to receive tuition in colloquial German, and this will be repeated in 1978.

(5) Last month, the number of RAF posts requiring a knowledge of German was increased from 110 to 230.

(6) In June 1978, the unit education centres in RAF Germany will be provided with additional tape recorders and cassette material. By the autumn of 1978, an updated and expanded library of self-teaching packages will be available to all RAF personnel about to be posted to Germany.

(7) In September 1978, an RAEC German instructor will be posted to Welbeck College.

If it enhances performance, proficiency in German and in other foreign languages is already reflected in the annual staff reports which are the basis of competitive promotion. The attainment of colloquia] standard in a NATO language, preferably German, is shortly to become the minimum language training policy aim for all Army officers. Consideration is also being given to increasing the number and value of language awards.