HC Deb 22 January 1930 vol 234 c190
8. Mr. MORLEY

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what percentage of the personnel of the Foreign Office and diplomatic services consists of ex-elementary schoolboys?

Mr. A. HENDERSON

Inquiries respecting members of the Service admitted before the War would entail an excessive amount of labour, but I have caused inquiries to be made regarding candidates admitted since the War and I have found that roughly six per cent. were ex-elementary schoolboys.

Mr. MORLEY

Will the right hon. Gentleman take steps to formulate such conditions of entry to the Service as will ensure that it shall be more representative of the entire people and less of one class?

Mr. HENDERSON

I think the examination is exactly on all fours with other kinds of examinations for the Civil Service, except for one subject, and that is languages.