HC Deb 18 June 1941 vol 372 cc621-2
8. Captain Plugge

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether the revised system for the Diplomatic Service will include provisions for ensuring that heads of missions abroad have expert advice on scientific and technical matters as well as commerce, finance, military, social and labour questions?

Mr. Eden

My intention is to ensure that heads of missions abroad receive such advice and assistance as is necessary to enable them adequately to fulfil their tasks.

Captain Plugge

Does my right hon. Friend not consider that, in view of what Lord Beaverbrook said on the air last night to America, he might in certain cases appoint a special scientific attache?

Mr. Eden

There might be occasion for that, but there will obviously have to be limits to the number.

Mr. Gallacher

Is the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the most important matter upon which advice could be given by missions abroad is that of conditions of workers and peasants, and will he see that workers from the factories are appointed to these diplomatic posts?

9. Mr. Liddall

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, as part of the foreign service reform, he will arrange that the education of candidates shall be mainly by experience after they have left school rather than by the home Civil Service system, so that greater imagination, initiative and willingness to accept responsibility may be at the base of foreign service training?

Mr. Eden

While the details of the reform of the system of entry are still to be worked out, I hope to ensure that future entrants shall possess not merely the intellectual qualities and special knowledge necessary for the Foreign Service, but also the type of qualities to which my hon. Friend refers.