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Foreign Office (Reform)

Volume 387: debated on Wednesday 3 March 1943

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11.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what arrangements the Foreign Office intend to make for recruiting personnel with knowledge of economic and social questions, particularly on labour, co-operative and peasant problems?

I would refer my hon. Friend to Section II of Command Paper 6420, from which it will be seen that the intention of the new scheme of recruitment and training is to ensure that members of the Foreign Service are fully qualified to deal with all questions which form an essential part of their work.

12.

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in his scheme for the reform of the Foreign Service, he will consider the desirability of providing for the appointment of scientific and technical attachés, as well as assuring that the commercial, political and consular posts are adequately staffed?

Yes, Sir. As my hon. Friend will observe from Command Paper 6420, it is foreseen that Heads of Missions abroad should have expert advisers on technical and other matters when this is in the public interest.