Small and Medium-sized Enterprises: Foreign Languages

Debate between Baroness Wilcox and Lord Geddes

Thursday 28th June 2012 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Wilcox]

I will certainly take up that suggestion from the noble Baroness.

[Lord Geddes]

My Lords, I declare an interest as life president of Trinity College London, the worldwide examination body in English for speakers of other languages. Does my noble friend agree about the vital importance of foreign languages for British speakers and that it is equally important for UK Ltd that the reverse applies—that those who are not conversant with English learn to speak it better?

[Baroness Wilcox]

I am very impressed to hear that my noble friend is the head of such an august organisation and am only too delighted to know that he is there. I will support him in everything that he does in taking us forward, making sure that we get the growth that we need and that we can all communicate widely.