HC Deb 08 December 1947 vol 445 cc149-50W
Mr. Bartlett

asked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he will give an assurance that it is now the established custom to appoint no senior officers in the Colonial Office who have not had personal experience of service in at least one of the Colonies.

Mr. Creech Jones

Nearly all the senior administrative and advisory officers in my Department have served in Colonial appointments or have visited Colonial territories in some official capacity. As more staff becomes available the system of seconding administrative officers overseas will be extended, and I hope that in time all senior posts will be held by officers with personal experience in a Colonial appointment. But I could not give an assurance that in no circumstances would a senior appointment be filled by an officer who has, not had that experience.