§ MR. RANDLES (Cumberland, Cockermouth).I beg to ask the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, if steps are or can be taken to secure that every British consul is reasonably familiar with the language of the country in which he is employed; and will he make, so far as practicable, inability to correspond in the language of such country a disqualification for retaining an appointment as consul.
§ * THE UNDER SECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Lord CRANBORNE,) RochesterPersons selected for the Consular Service are required to satisfy the Civil Service Commissioners (1) that they write and speak French correctly and fluently;(2) that they have a sufficient knowledge of the current language, of the port at which they are appointed to reside to enable them to communicate with the Authorities and natives of the place. Knowledge of languages is always carefully considered in each case of transfer or promotion. Members of the China, Japan, Siam, and Levant Consular Services are required to undergo a special course of study in the language of the country in which they are appointed to reside.