HC Deb 18 November 1968 vol 773 cc888-9
25. Mr. Dodds-Parker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will refer to the Duncan Committee the proposal that the same conditions of pension and retirement apply to the Diplomatic Service as to the Armed Services.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

Conditions of service generally, including pension and retirement matters, are not part of the specific task of the Duncan Committee, but the committee can certainly be expected to keep the hon. Gentleman's suggestion in mind, to the extent that it may be relevant to their work.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that reply. In view of the value of cross-posting between commerce and the Foreign Service, does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that it might well be of advantage for earlier retirement from the Foreign Service to be possible?

Mr. Whitaker

Will my right hon. Friend consider the rule that feminine members of our Diplomatic Service have to resign when they get married, a rule which is contrary to European convention as well as common sense?

Mr. Roberts

I would not preclude that consideration from the ambit of the Committee's deliberations.