Requirements for language training are assessed by each overseas office and based upon business priorities. As such the Department for International Development (DFID) does not hold central records on language training, but according to our main external language training provider 130 staff have received training in the last 18 months. This is equivalent to 35 per cent. of home civil service staff posted overseas at any given time.
In the Department for International Development five staff speak Pashto and two speak Dari. Our main language training provider has trained two staff in Dari and four in Pashto during 2006-07 and two staff in Dari during 2007-08.