§ 3. Mr. G. M. Thomsonasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation why preference is given to male candidates for the thirty overseas teachers of English as a second language, appointed by the United Kingdom in accordance with the commitment made at the Second Commonwealth Education Conference.
§ Mr. VosperMost of these posts are expected to be in Asia and Africa, and the officer appointed will usually be on secondment to overseas authorities who in the British Council's experience most commonly expect to receive men teacher trainers. There will, however, be some posts for which women officers would be appropriate and the British Council will keep this in mind.
§ Mr. ThomsonWould it not be better to approach this on the basis of finding the most suitably qualified teachers for these posts, irrespective of sex? Is it not very disturbing to find this kind of condition actually put in advertisement by the British Council?
§ Mr. VosperThe hon. Member may have misinterpreted the advertisement. It did not use the word "preference". The British Council is dependent on overseas authorities for applications and in the past the applications have been in the main for men, but I agree with the hon. Member that there is room for women in this development.