HC Deb 26 February 1919 vol 112 cc1745-6
68. Mr. RAPER

asked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he is aware that, of the thirteen appointments as Commercial Secretaries to our Embassies abroad recently made under the new scheme for the development of overseas trade, eleven have been given to members of the old Consular and Diplomatic Services; and whether he will consider the advisability of including a larger proportion of men possessing actual business experience, in view of the admitted necessity of improving our commercial representation in foreign countries?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

All appointments as commercial counsellor or secretary are made on the recommendation of a Committee composed not only of representatives of Government Departments but also of representatives of the business community. The Committee has interviewed a large number of candidates, and before recommending any appointment to the Secretary of State has carefully reviewed the relative claims of candidates possessing official administrative experience as compared with those possessing business experience. The proportion of selected candidates with business experience is likely to be somewhat greater when all the appointments have been made, as the list of appointments already published includes a number of officers who have rendered good service as Commercial Attachés, and have been confirmed in their appointments under the new scheme.

Mr. RAPER

Was, it not the intention of the Government in reconstituting the Overseas Trade Department to infuse new blood into the commercial branches of our Legations, and does the hon. Gentleman consider that is being done by appointing members of the old Consular and Diplomatic Services to the majority of the vacancies for Commercial Attachés?

Mr. HARMSWORTH

I would ask for notice of that question.