HC Deb 08 December 1948 vol 459 cc363-6
10. Sir P. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies what specific applications he made to British universities, the Royal Geographical Society and British air survey firms before asking the American Economic Cooperation Administration to provide Americans to fill 50 vacancies in the topographical, geodetic and geological surveys in the Colonies; and in which newspapers and on what dates he advertised the vacancies.

Mr. Rees-Williams

As the reply is necessarily long, I will, with the hon. Member's permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Sir P. Macdonald

Will the hon. Gentleman say why these positions are offered to Americans without any British scientists being offered the jobs, or even anybody in the British Commonwealth being given an opportunity of applying for them?

Mr. Rees-Williams

I am glad of this opportunity to say that there has been a complete misunderstanding. In fact, the widest publicity was given to the possibilities of employment, and the principal universities and the Ministry of Labour were approached. The representatives of the Royal Geographical Society knew all about it; and it appeared in Royal Air Force and Army Orders. In all ways we tried to get scientists. The engagement of American scientists, if it comes off—and as yet there has been no definite conclusion on that point—will not in any way interfere with the employment of British scientists.

Mr. Keeling

Can the Under-Secretary of State deny that the Department of Geography at Cambridge, from which University the bulk of colonial surveyors have been obtained in the past, received no notice at all about these vacancies?

Mr. Rees-Williams

My information is to the contrary. I do not know about the department, but the University was certainly notified.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

In view of the general misunderstanding among air survey firms and the complications of this problem, will the hon. Gentleman consider publishing a statement showing exactly what sort of advertisements were issued, to whom, and when?

Mr. Rees-Williams

My reply to the hon. Gentleman opposite gives a good deal of information together with a list of the newspapers and the dates on which the advertisements appeared, so I think the hon. Member's point has been met.

Following is the reply:

The principal universities and the Ministry of Labour and National Service (Technical and Scientific Register) were notified of the urgent need for geologists and surveyors in communications addressed to them during the last two years and were informed at intervals of the vacancies existing. A full general appreciation of the vacancy position, prospects and requirements for both classes of posts was circulated to universities in November, 1947.

No formal approach was made to the Royal Geographical Society, but the Society was represented at the Conference of British Commonwealth Survey Officers held in London in August, 1947, at which the shortage of surveyors and the difficulties of recruitment were fully ventilated and discussed. No approach in regard to surveyors was made to air survey firms since, as indicated in the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 29th November to an earlier question by the hon. Member, it was not clear how they could have assisted in the supply of surveyors; nor is this clear now. These firms were however represented at the Conference mentioned above and should accordingly have been aware of the shortage if they had any suggestions to make.

With regard to the second part of the Question, advertisements for geologists were inserted in the Press on many occasions, including "The Times" of 10th October, 1947, 7th and 11th February, 1948, 1st April, 1948, 8th November, 1948; the "Daily Telegraph" of 24th October, 1947, 6th and 25th February, 1948, 30th March, 1948, and 9th November, 1948; the "Yorkshire Post" of 4th October, 1947, 31st January, 1948; the "Manchester Guardian," 28th January, 1948; the "Mining Magazine," February, 1948, and "Nature," 11th October, 1947, 30th October, 1948, 6th November, 1948.

As regards surveyors, it was considered that the most effective method of advertising was by bringing openings to the notice of men in the Forces. Such notices were inserted in Fleet Orders, Army Council Instructions and Air Ministry Orders between December, 1947, and February, 1948.

12. Mr. Lennox-Boyd

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how much of the 25 million dollars voted by the Economic Co-operation Administration for British Colonial development is earmarked for the payment of United States specialists.

Mr. Rees-Williams

So far as I am aware, no such fund has been formally instituted. The second part of the Question does not therefore arise.

25. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware that of 20 students trained as surveyors at Cambridge University since the war only two have entered the Colonial Service; and whether he will improve the salaries and conditions offered to surveyors who have qualified at British universities or have retired from the Survey of India.

Mr. Rees-Williams

My right hon. Friend is, of course, aware of the need for attracting more trained surveyors into the Colonial Service. Salaries have only recently been greatly improved in East Africa and Malaya, and a further increase is now under consideration in West Africa.

Mr. Keeling

Is the Under-Secretary of State aware that the terms offered to surveyors for West Africa are inadequate to attract them?

Mr. Rees-Williams

That is the whole point of the further consideration of that question.

26. Mr. Keeling

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how soon the terms to be offered to Americans for survey work in the Colonies will be settled; and whether he will then renew his efforts to obtain British surveyors by offering the same terms for the same period.

Mr. Rees-Williams

I cannot say how long the discussions with the United States authorities will take. The second part of the Question accordingly does not yet arise.

Mr. Keeling

Will the Under-Secretary of State publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT the terms offered to American surveyors when they are settled?

Mr. Rees-Williams

?: I have no doubt that when the matter is settled the hon. Member or some other hon. Member will put down a Question.

Mr. Keeling

I have asked it now.