§ 35. Mr. MATTERSasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department when the appointments of diplomatic commercial representatives to the republics of Brazil and Colombia will be made?
§ 36. Mr. DOUGLAS HACKINGasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department whether ho is yet in a position to give detailed information of the new appointments foreshadowed by the Lord Privy Seal to the trade commissioner or other overseas trade service?
§ Mr. GILLETT (Secretary, Overseas Trade Department)I regret that I am not yet in a position to give the information asked for. The question of recruiting for the new overseas posts of the Department is at present under consideration. While for any appointments that may be made special consideration will be given to members of the Consular Service and the Civil Service generally, it has been decided to advertise for applications from outside the Services. This will naturally cause delay in the making of the appointments. I hope that it may be possible to make a further announcement shortly.
§ Mr. HACKINGWill all these new appointments be in respect of residence abroad or in this country?
§ Mr. GILLETTIt is proposed to increase the staff at home, if that is what the right hon. Gentleman is asking.
§ Mr. HANNONWill the business qualifications of these candidates be taken into consideration by the Government before the appointments are made?
§ Mr. GILLETTI understand that the hon. Gentleman is referring to oversea appointments. If so, we are proposing to have a Consultative Committee representative of the various interests in making these appointments.
§ Captain CROOKSHANKIs not the difficulty in getting these candidates the small salary which is offered?
§ Mr. GILLETTI do not think that there is any difficulty in getting candidates. The difficulty probably is that there are far too many.