§ Major WARINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, considering the general return to pre-War conditions in the Government Departments, he will explain why it is still necessary to employ numbers of female clerks and typists at British embassies and legations abroad; and will he consider the advisability of a return to the pre-War practice of attachés writing their own letters?
§ Mr. McNEILLThe volume of work in most of the British embassies and legations abroad being much greater than before the War, it cannot be said that there has been a general return to pre-War conditions. Female clerks and typists in British embassies and legations abroad are employed on work similar to that performed by them in Government Departments in this country. The employment of regular members of the Diplomatic Service on work which can be performed by female clerks and typists would necessitate a considerable increase in the diplomatic staff, and, consequently, in expenditure. It would also be contrary to the recommendation of the Royal Commission on the Civil Service.