§ 5. Mr. Caryasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if, following his statement on 11th June of last year about the reform of the Diplomatic Service, anything new has transpired to change the Government's attitude in this matter; and why the House has not been asked to approve proposals to effect the reforms, particularly as his original statement did not indicate delay?
§ Mr. LawThe answer to the first part of the Question is "No, Sir." The attitude of the Government has been clearly indicated by my right hon. Friend, and there has been no change in it. In reply to the second part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the Answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Central Southwark (Mr. Martin) on 11th February.
§ Mr. CaryIs the delay occasioned only by the desire of the Government to perfect the scheme before putting it into operation? I appreciate that we may have to wait until the post-war years before that step can be taken.
§ Mr. Law"Perfection" is a very big word. I very much doubt whether the reforms will, in fact, be perfect, but they are intended to be very far-reaching indeed. The delay has been caused by the difficulty of dealing with so wide a field and getting the proposals into workable form.
§ Miss Eleanor RathboneCan we assume that the assertion of the hon. Gentleman that there has been no change does not mean that the Government are not considering a possible change in the procedure with regard to women in the diplomatic service, particularly as his right hon. Friend the Foreign Minister 1968 did promise to keep an open mind and reconsider that matter?
§ Mr. LawThere has been no change in any sense, and I am sure that my right hon. Friend's mind is still open.