§ MR. R. A. YERBURGH (Chester)I beg to ask the First Lord of the Treasury in what manner and to what extent the Government encourage the study of Chinese and other Eastern languages; and whether he will order a Report to be issued setting forth the facilities given by Germany, Russia, and France for the study of the above languages?
§ THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR,) Manchester, E.In answer to my hon. Friend I have to say that the study of Oriental languages is encouraged by the Government under the following conditions. In China, Japan, and Siam student interpreters in the Consular service, after being selected by open competitive examination in England, devote two years to the study of those languages; and their subsequent position in the service depends on the result of the examination held at the end of this probationary period. In the Diplomatic service a special allowance of £100 a year is allowed for a knowledge of Oriental languages. The India Office and the War Office also offer pecuniary rewards to officers who qualify in Chinese. 568 The conditions in the other countries, named in the Question are so different that it is doubtful whether any advantage would be gained from such a Report as is asked for being granted.