§ Mr. Mainwaringasked the Secretary to the Overseas Trade Department what changes are contemplated in the overseas trade representation of Britain with a view to developing trade with other countries at the end of the war and of advising and assisting manufacturers at home to the same end?
§ Mr. JohnstoneBy the terms of the Foreign Service Order in Council dated 20th May, 1943, Members of the Commercial Diplomatic Service and the Consular Service now form part of His Majesty's Foreign Service. My right hon. Friends, the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and the President of the Board of Trade, have also agreed that arrangements shall be made which will allow, in the future, a greater degree of interchangeability between Members of the Foreign Service and His Majesty's Trade Commissioner Service. The staffing of these overseas posts after the war, and the functions which they will be called upon to perform in order to render the greatest possible assistance to our exporters, are receiving my most careful attention.