§ 3. Dr. Alan Whitehead (Southampton, Test)What steps he is taking to encourage exchange of expertise between United Kingdom and Commonwealth civil servants. [39791]
§ The Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service (Mr. Peter Kilfoyle)We are keen to encourage the exchange of expertise between the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Governments. There is a range of formal and informal mechanisms through which we exchange expertise with Commonwealth Governments. The Cabinet Office's international public service unit promotes and exports United Kingdom expertise in public sector reform and public administration. The Cabinet Office is also a member of the Commonwealth Association for Public Administration, whose aim is to enhance Commonwealth co-operation in improving managerial competence in government.
§ Dr. WhiteheadI thank my hon. Friend for that full answer. In the light of what he says, is he prepared to have another look at the regulations passed by the previous Government, which effectively prevent Commonwealth citizens from applying for United Kingdom civil service jobs?
§ Mr. KilfoyleI should like to see progress being made in opening up the civil service to selection on merit regardless of nationality— but in a way that does not compromise the United Kingdom's right to reserve posts 704 for its own nationals when necessary. A straightforward reversal of the 1996 rule changes would carry a real risk that the United Kingdom might lose that right. It would lay us open to legal challenges from non-Irish European economic area nationals saying that they had been discriminated against, and an unfavourable judgment in the European Court of Justice might find that we had prejudiced our position by appointing Irish and Commonwealth citizens to reserved posts.
§ Mr. Nicholas Soames (Mid-Sussex)Does the hon. Gentleman agree that such exchanges are extremely valuable? It is a question not of a civil servant from Australia simply taking the job of an official in England, but of possibilities for officials from both sides to have the opportunity to work in different Government Departments. Does he also agree that it would be valuable to offer places in British Ministries to the occasional European Union official, to give those people a chance to see how our officials work? Might not the presence of a French Enarque in the DHSS do wonders for the administration of British government?
§ Mr. KilfoyleThe hon. Gentleman will be aware that we do not have a Department of Health and Social Security any more; we have two separate Departments, so unless the official were schizophrenic he would have great difficulty. However, the point about reciprocity in such exchanges is well made. We learn as we teach other Governments, and we extend our influence within them.