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Languages (Spanish And Portuguese)

Volume 237: debated on Thursday 3 April 1930

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47.

asked the President of the Board of Education if, in view of the importance of South America to our trade and industry, he is prepared to do all in his power to stimulate the study of Spanish and Portuguese in our schools?

I fully appreciate the commercial and industrial importance of the Spanish and Portuguese languages, and I shall take every opportunity of encouraging their study in schools of appropriate types. The matter is being carefully considered by the Committee on Education for Salesmanship in connection with their inquiry into the subject of modern languages, and I expect to obtain valuable assistance from their conclusions and recommendations.

Will the right hon. Gentleman issue instructions to education authorities stressing the fact that at the present time the Spanish language, particularly, is of more importance than French?

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he can inform the House whether many Members of the Liberal party take lessons?