HC Deb 18 May 1953 vol 515 cc1666-7
2. Mr. Godber

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what general and commercial qualifications are normally required in the appointment of trade commissioners and commercial counsellors attached to British embassies; and what special training they receive in the trading problems of the countries to which they are sent.

Mr. Nutting

Commercial counsellors on the staff of Her Majesty's Missions abroad are appointed by my right hon. Friend in consultation with the Board of Trade, on the basis of their past experience and aptitude for commercial work. They must also have the high general qualifications demanded of all foreign service officers of their rank.

For a summary of the training which is laid down for commercial diplomatic officers, I would refer my hon. Friend to Annex 19 to the 7th Report from the Select Committee on Estimates.

The qualifications and training of the Trade Commissioner Service is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, I am informed that they are broadly similar to those for commercial counsellors of the foreign service.

Mr. Godber

Could my hop. Friend say whether these representatives have any commercial experience in this country before they are appointed? Could he tell me whether they are given any specific directions to maintain close contact in the country to which they are sent with all the leading exporters and importers there? Is my hon. Friend aware that I asked this Question because of the increased need, at this time of great difficulty in our export trade, to obtain the maximum co-operation with our importers?

Mr. Nutting

The answer to the second part of the supplementary question is, "Yes." They are always instructed to keep in close contact with the British exporting firms concerned and with the importers operating in the countries concerned. In answer to the first part of the supplementary question, my hon. Friend is no doubt aware that the Commercial Diplomatic Service is no longer a separate service but that entrants join the Foreign Service as a whole. Those with a particular aptitude for commercial work are given all possible training and encouragement to take it up.