HC Deb 27 February 1967 vol 742 cc5-6W
60. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what proportion of commercial attaches were previously employed in other Departments of the Foreign Office, in the Home Civil Service, in the Colonial or Commonwealth Civil Service, and in private business, respectively.

Mr. George Brown

Of officers engaged full-time on commercial work overseas about 20 per cent. have previously served with the Board of Trade and about 17 per cent. have had experience in private business. All the rest entered the former Foreign Service or Commonwealth Relations Office direct.

62. Mr. Macdonald

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps are taken to ensure that commercial attaches appointed to overseas embassies and legations are people with practical commercial or industrial experience.

Mr. William Rodgers

Officers are selected with reference to their experience, and in the more junior posts, to the need to train them in such work, commercial and industrial experience is one factor that is considered.