§ 13. Mr. HERBERT WILLIAMSasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether it is the practice for officials at the Colonial Office to serve for a period in an administrative post overseas; and whether it is the practice for officials at the Colonial Office to visit periodically those parts of the Empire with which their work is concerned?
§ Mr. AMERYThe seconding of Colonial Office officers for service overseas, as a general practice, presents serious administrative difficulties, but arrangements have recently been made for two officers to be attached to the staffs of the Governors of Ceylon and 1722 Nigeria for about two and three years, respectively, and I hope to be able to make similar arrangements in future for service overseas when suitable opportunities offer. Appointments to the administrative grade of the Colonial Office are now subject to the acceptance of liability for service overseas for one or more periods of not less than a year at a time. As regards the second part of the question, I am convinced of the value of such periodical visits. Several visits have already taken place during the past few years, and others are contemplated in the near future.