HC Deb 27 November 1911 vol 32 cc3-4
Mr. EDMUND HARVEY

asked whether candidates for first division appointments in the Diplomatic Service are dissuaded from applying if they are not possessed of a private income or assured of a private allowance from relatives or friends; and whether, seeing that this in effect deprives the Foreign Office of the service of poor men of ability, the right hon. Gentleman will consider the desirability of an adjustment of the salaries of the Foreign Office and the Diplomatic Service which will permit this branch of the Civil Service to be thrown open to men whose character and ability qualify them for the work without having regard to their private means?

Mr. ACLAND

Candidates for Attaché-ships in the Diplomatic Service are appointed after a limited competitive examination, and for the first two years of their service receive no salary. It is therefore considered essential, in view of the cost of living abroad, that they should possess an income or allowance of not less than £400 a year. With regard to the second part of the question, I do not consider that there are sufficient grounds to justify me in recommending to the Treasury a change which would entail a considerable addition to the Estimates of the Diplomatic Service, and I have no evidence to show that the present scheme fails to secure candidates who are properly qualified for the discharge of their duties.

Mr. MORRELL

Am I to understand that in that part of the Diplomatic Service no one can get a post in the Foreign Office unless he has £400 a year?

Mr. ACLAND

That only applies to those particular posts.

Mr. WEDGWOOD

Is that a new regulation since 1906?

Mr. ACLAND

No, I think not.

Mr. EDMUND HARVEY

Would it not be an advantage that these posts should be open to all citizens?

Mr. ACLAND

That is clearly a matter of opinion. This system works well.

Mr. EDMUND HARVEY

Can it be a matter of opinion for a Liberal Government?