§ 5. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent overseas information officers are qualified in the commercial field.
§ Mr. William RodgersTrade promotion is a major element in the work of information officers and a considerable part of their training course is devoted to commercial publicity. This includes discussions with the Board of Trade and the Committees of the British National Export Council.
§ Mr. WatkinsI thank my hon. Friend for that Answer, but is it a fact that information officers are doing an increasing amount of commercial work, and will he give particular attention to appointing commercially qualified personnel in those posts in future?
§ Mr. RodgersIt is indeed the case that our information officers are doing an increasing amount of commercial work, and I think that the House would applaud this as being in line with our overall policies. Certainly we shall bear in mind, for this reason, ensuring that information officers are particularly well-qualified in this sphere.
§ Mr. BlakerIs not the whole trouble the fact that Her Majesty's Government are not qualified in the commercial field?
§ 6. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will now announce a decision on the future level of overseas information services.
§ Mr. William RodgersIn view of the importance of our overseas information services in supporting export promotion and in sustaining Britain's position abroad, Her Majesty's Government have decided that, despite the need to reduce public expenditure as a whole, our overseas information effort should be maintained at about the prevent level of activity for the next four years.
§ Mr. WatkinsOught we not, however, to increase our information services, especially in those areas where we are reducing our military commitments?
§ Mr. RodgersThere is a great case for doing so if our means allowed. I think that it has been generally recognised on both sides of the House that our information services have a most important role to play in maintaining Britain's influence abroad, but for the moment I am afraid I can hold out no hope for natural expansion.
§ Mr. WaltersWill the Minister give some indication as to which of the recommendations made by Sir Harold Bealey have been or are about to be implemented?
§ Mr. RodgersOur decision on expenditure and the level of activity is broadly in line with the recommendation that Sir Harold Bealey made at the end of his inquiry.