§ 10. Mr. Worsleyasked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether, 167 when overseas appointments are filled, preference is given to those with previous overseas service.
Mr. CarrPrevious overseas experience is regarded as a strong qualification. Of the 1,042 vacancies filled by my Department in 1962, 247 successful candidates had previous overseas experience.
§ Mr. WorsleyOf the thousand or so jobs that he has filled, can my right hon. Friend say how many demanded the special skills of the former overseas civil servant, and whether before he fills them he consults the Overseas Resettlement Bureau?
Mr. CarrDealing with the latter point first, I assure my hon. Friend that the particulars of every vacancy of which we know are sent to the Overseas Resettlement Bureau so that we make sure that people with previous overseas experience can be considered. I cannot give my hon. Friend figures about the number of vacancies which specifically require the skills of those with previous overseas experience in Government service. They obviously are considerable. Nevertheless, it is also true that these developing countries are increasingly wanting new skills, and this is why the old overseas people have to be supplemented with new people.
§ Mr. LongdenCan my right hon. Friend say what progress is being made with the project of his predecessor, that of transferring people who are becoming redundant in Africa as a result of independence to Latin America?