§ 1. Sir Reginald Blairasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he consulted the Export Council upon his proposals for reorganising the commercial, diplomatic and consular services; and whether he has taken the advice of the Council as to the type of person who should in future be employed in this service for furthering British export trade?
§ The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Eden)I am at present engaged in working out details of the proposed reforms in so far as they concern my own Department. I shall naturally wish in due course to consult my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade and my hon. Friend the Secretary of the Department of Overseas Trade in connection with any changes in the Commercial Diplomatic Service which it may be considered desirable to make.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerWill the right hon. Gentleman consider publishing the report upon which these reforms have been based?
§ Mr. EdenI am rather reluctant to do that. It was a report on certain specific matters for which I had asked. When the time comes to put the proposals in detail before the House I will give a full description.
§ Mr. ManderIs the right hon. Gentleman seriously considering the inclusion of commercial attachés within the new organisation, because their exclusion has caused a certain amount of dissatisfaction?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that he would welcome a Debate in the House on the subject of the reforms?
§ Mr. EdenI would welcome it when I am in a position to bring the proposals in detail before the House.