§ 25. Mr. GLEDHILLasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department the qualifications necessary for the post of senior trade commissioner and commercial counsellor?
§ Lieut-Colonel COLVILLEThe qualifications most essential are sound judgment and general experience, backed up if possible by knowledge of the market and of the language. The Commercial Diplomatic and the Trade Commissioner services are organised as services and, therefore, the senior posts are normally filled by promotion of officers within the service who have given evidence of their suitability for promotion. Only exceptionally, when the interests of the public service so require, are appointments made from outside.
§ Lieut-Colonel COLVILLEThat raises a wide question. General experience is certainly taken into account when making these appointments.
§ Mr. KIRKPATRICKAre these officers primarily under the Foreign Office or the Department of Overseas Trade?
§ Lieut-Colonel COLVILLEThe Department of Overseas Trade. The Department of Overseas Trade handle the Commercial Diplomatic Service as well as the Trade Commercial Service.