HC Deb 18 March 1907 vol 171 cc461-2
MR. REES (Montgomery Boroughs)

I beg to ask the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any new regulations have been issued regarding the linguistic attainments required of diplomatic and consular officers; and, if the Answer be in the affirmative, whether he will cause a copy of such regulations to be placed in the Library.

† See (4) Debates, clxix., 1030.
THE FINANCIAL SECRETARY TO THE TREASURY (Mr. RUNCIMAN, ; for Sir Edward GREY) Dewsbury

Candidates for the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Service can at present take up any two of the following languages:—Latin, Italian, Spanish, Portuguese, Russian, Modern Greek, Arabic. Under the new regulations which will come into force on 1st July, 1907, they can take up Latin, Greek, Sanskrit, Arabic, and Italian or Spanish, all optional subjects. French and Gorman are obligatory, and will continue to be so. There will be no change in the linguistic requirements for the Consular Service. Copies of the regulations will be placed in the Library.