HC Deb 23 January 1958 vol 580 cc1247-8
42. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how many officers recently retired from Her Majesty's Forces have been given appointments in Her Majesty's Overseas Civil Service during each of the last five years; what are their educational and other qualifications for such appointments; how these qualifications are tested; to what Colonies they have been appointed, respectively; and with what results.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I am afraid that it would not be possible to give these figures without a very great deal of research, but such appointments have not been numerous.

Mr. Hughes

Does the Secretary of State not realise that the qualifications for Her Majesty's Colonial Service are not necessarily the same as those for the Fighting Services? Will the right hon. Gentleman take care to ensure that officers are not appointed to the Colonial Service merely because of their military service, so that officers in the Colonial Service may have the appropriate qualifications? In asking this supplementary, I am making no reflection on either service.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Officers from the Armed Forces, who are very few in number, are, of course, appointed because they qualify. Those I have seen seem to me to be admirably qualified.