Mr. EVANSasked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury whether he is aware that Germany and German traders derive considerable advantages in matters of administration and trade from the facilities which exist in that country for the phonetic analysis of the native languages of Africa and Asia; and whether, in view of the diversity of languages spoken within the British Empire, ho will consider the advisability of giving greater encouragement to the work done at the phonetics department of University College, London?
§ Sir J. BAIRDSuch information as I have been able to obtain does not confirm the statement in the first part of the question. In the present state of the national finances, I fear that the question of increasing the special grant-in-aid of the phonetics department of University College must be postponed.