HC Deb 18 June 1901 vol 95 cc710-1
MR. HARRIS (Tynemouth)

I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can state how many retired naval and military officers there are at the present time holding consular appointments worth £200 a year or over, and who have not passed any examination in foreign languages.

*VISCOUNT CRANBORNE

There are twelve ex-naval and military officers holding ordinary consular appointments at the present time who have not, within the knowledge of the Foreign Office, passed an examination in foreign languages. But it does not follow that they are unacquainted with foreign languages.