§ 30. Mr. William Hamiltonasked the Minister for the Civil Service how many civil servants have now been recruited for service within the European Economic Community.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Civil Service Department (Mr. Kenneth Baker)So far the only appointments of civil servants have been to the cabinets of the two British Commissioners. Interviewing candidates for other posts in the Commission is continuing and further appointments will be made after we have joined the Communities.
§ Mr. HamiltonWill the hon. Gentleman tell us why civil servants are so reluctant to take posts within the Community? Will he consider the protests which have been made by Aims of Industry and other bodies about the relative lack of business experience within the qualifications required? In view of the great importance of having business experience, may I ask the hon. Gentleman to take urgent steps to remedy this deficiency?
§ Mr. BakerThere is little reluctance among civil servants to apply for consideration for posts in Brussels.
On the hon. Gentleman's second point, I am anxious, as are the Department and the two British Commissioners, to attract people from outside the civil service—from industry, commerce, the trade unions and academic life—to go and work in Brussels. I assure him that interviews with people who have this experience are taking place.
§ Mr. Selwyn GummerHow many women have been appointed? Will my hon. Friend ensure that we have a better proportion of women in the civil service in this area than we have in the higher reaches of the civil service at home?
§ Mr. BakerI cannot accept the implied criticism of my hon. Friend's question. In fact, there are several women senior civil servants. I assure my hon. Friend that we are anxious to ensure that there will be quite a large number of women in the senior posts of British people who are going to Brussels.