§ MR. R. G. WEBSTER (St. Pancras, E.)I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for War whether a knowledge of the Spanish language is either an obligatory or permissive subject for officers entering for the Staff College examination; and, if not, whether he would consider the desirability of including it amongst the permissive subjects for that military examination?
MR. POWELL WILLIAMSThe Spanish language is neither an obligatory nor a permissive subject for officers entering for the Staff College examination. It is not considered desirable to extend the range of permissive subjects too widely, as it leads to diffuse rather than thorough study. I may add that the present interpreter ship examinations give officers an opportunity of showing proficiency in any language they desire.