§ Mr. Bryant Godman Irvineasked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what opportunities are available for members of the Colonial Office List to transfer to Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service; and how many have availed themselves of such opportunities since 1st August, 1966.
§ Mr. George ThomasIn anticipation of the merger of the Colonial Office and the Commonwealth Relations Office on 1st August, 1966, members of the staff of the Colonial Office were given the option from late 1964 onwards of applying for transfer to H.M. Diplomatic Service or remaining in the Home Civil Service. Of a total of about 150 established officers in the grades down to Higher Executive Officer on 1st January, 1965, 37 members of the Colonial Office staff have applied for membership of the Diplomatic Service and 32 have been accepted. Formalities in regard to a further two officers are still proceeding. Of the total of 32 who have already transferred to the Diplomatic Service, 13 officers have done so since 1st August, 1966. Members of the staff of the former Colonial Office who did not originally opt for membership of the Diplomatic Service and are still serving in the Commonwealth Office (i.e. have not yet been transferred to Home Civil Service Departments) may still change their minds and apply for118W transfer to the Diplomatic Service if they so wish.