HC Deb 14 January 1964 vol 687 cc6-7
8. Mr. Loveys

asked the Secretary of Technical Co-operation who is entitled to the services of the Overseas Resettlement Bureau.

Mr. R. Carr

The Overseas Services Resettlement Bureau is available on retirement to officers recruited in the name of the Secretary of State for the Colonies and for whose careers Her Majesty's Government accept a special responsibility.

Mr. Loveys

May I ask my right hon. Friend whether he will consider extending the services of this Bureau to the large number of British subjects, including local government officers, now returning from these territories, who feel frustrated because certain occupations which they are qualified to fill are not available through the ordinary Ministry of Labour sources?

Mr. Carr

I think that my hon. Friend ought to question my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour as to the efficacy of the Ministry of Labour's resources in this field, but, as regards this Bureau, my hon. Friend has raised a difficult matter and one with which one cannot help but have sympathy, but I think we must also remember that if we widen the scope of the Bureau, we equally and inevitably weaken the help it can give to those for whom we, as the Government, have a special responsibility because we recruit them.