§ 20. Mr. Dugdaleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he will now take positive steps to encourage the recruitment of officers of the Colonial Service who are now redundant into other branches of the Civil Service, and in particular into the Commonwealth Relations Office.
§ Mr. BrookeThe Government have for some time been taking steps to encourage such recruitment of Colonial Service officers. These have included special competitions for the executive and administrative classes, and concessions on age and educational qualifications and other Civil Service competitions. Twenty-two administrative appointments in the Commonwealth Relations Office are now held by former Colonial Service officers.
§ Mr. DugdaleDoes the right hon. Gentleman think it encouraging to men of about 40 years of age who have served 548 with distinction in the Colonial Service to be told that they have to sit for an examination like 20-year-olds, and if they succeed in passing it, perhaps then to be told that they have not the right kind of experience for dealing with Asians and Africans, even though those same Asians and Africans appoint them afterwards to service under their own Governments?
§ Mr. BrookeI must refer the right hon. Member to the full statement made on this matter by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations in the Adjournment debate on 21st November last.