asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action is being taken by the British Council to review the possibilities for English language teaching in Saudi Arabia.

In response to a request by the London representative of the Saudi Arabian Cultural Bureau in Europe for assistance in the recruitment of British teachers of English, the British Council has informed the Saudi Arabian authorities that it is prepared to send an officer to survey the problems of English language teaching in Saudi Arabia as a preliminary step.

In view of the fact that Saudi Arabia is looking towards Britain for greater friendship and trade, is not this worth while doing? If we do it, cannot we do it in sterling?

Certainly I think that the latter suggestion is constructive. As far as I know, there is no reason why it should be paid in dollars. As for the object, we have taken the first step. English-language teaching is an important aim it every country, but we have only limited resources and we cannot always do as much as we should like in every country.