§ 3. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the number of Embassies to which Labour Attaches have been appointed; what is the number of Embassies to which it is now intended to make such appointments; and how many of those who have been appointed have had first-hand experience in the British trade union movement.
§ 10. Wing-Commander Millingtonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is satisfied that His Majesty's Ambassadors abroad are adequately advised on labour questions; and whether he will consider the appointment of more Labour Attaches with experience of the trade union movement.
§ 26. Mr. Alfred Edwardsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many labour attaches have been appointed; and, of these, how many have had first-hand experience of the British trade union movement.
§ Mr. MayhewEighteen Labour Attaches have so far been appointed to His Majesty's Embassies and Legations abroad. Between them they cover 38 separate countries, a number of them having been appointed to more than one post. All of those appointed have been carefully selected for their knowledge and experience not only of the British trade union movement but also of industrial relations and social administration in general. My right hon. Friend is fully satisfied as to their qualifications for advising His Majesty's Representatives on questions arising within these fields. The case for making further appointments is kept under constant review by the Minister of Labour and by my right hon. Friend in consultation with the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Eight of the appointments have, in fact, been made within the last 12 months. A further appointment, to Tokyo, will be made very shortly.
§ Mr. CooperCan my hon. Friend give an assurance that in any future appointments that are made the same consideration as at present will be given to the people who have the necessary experience?
§ Mr. MayhewYes, Sir.
§ Mr. WarbeyCan my hon. Friend say how many of the Labour Attaches have practical experience of the British trade union movement?
§ Mr. MayhewThey have all very wide knowledge of the British trade union movement and some of them have intimate knowledge. Without notice I could not answer the exact terms of the question.