§ 16. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what machinery he provides to help foreign Governments find suitably qualified British persons to teach in their schools and universities.
§ Mr. ProfumoAs the Answer to this Question is rather long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. HallWould it not be to the long-term advantage of this country as well as render a service to other countries that British teachers should be encouraged to take overseas appointments? If the organisation does not already exist, will my hon. Friend encourage the establishment of a central organisation to deal with applications from overseas countries?
§ Mr. ProfumoI agree with my hon. Friend that this is a very important matter. I hope that he will find my Answer helpful when he reads it.
Following is the information:Professors, lecturers and teachers are recruited in the United Kingdom for foreign Governments, or institutions in foreign countries, which wish either to employ British persons to teach on direct contract, or to have the services of such persons free of charge as technical experts, under, for instance, the Bagdad Pact or the Colombo Plan.In the first case, the British Council undertakes recruitment if the pay and conditions are suitable. The British Council is sometimes able to offer financial help. The local British Council representative helps by investigating the conditions of the post, and its headquarters in London arrange the details of particular appointments.As regards the second case, suitably qualified lecturers and professors are recruited by the Foreign Office or the British Council for the Middle East Technical University in Ankara and for other appointments in member countries of the Bagdad Pact, as well as of the Colombo Plan.