§ Mr. Fletcher-Cookeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied that the allowances which his Department pays to British staff in the public services of developing countries, in addition to their local salaries, are adequate; and whether he intends to make changes.
§ Mr. WoodThe present levels of these allowances result from periodic revisions of the sums fixed when the schemes were introduced. These reviews took account of changes in the local cost of living. In most cases, the allowances continue to bring the total emoluments of the staff concerned into favourable comparison with comparable salaries in this country. They therefore provide an inducement to serve overseas. It has recently become increasingly clear that this is not so in the case of the more highly qualified professional and university staff. My Department, and other agencies concerned, are finding difficulties of recruitment to these groups and people who are already abroad have become less inclined than before to undertake a further period of service.
I have therefore decided, in respect of university staff and professional groups like engineers, doctors, lawyers and agriculturalists, and in order to ensure an adequate flow of recruits in these fields, that it would be right to begin determining the levels of these allowances with reference to the levels and movements of salaries in Britain. I propose to consult, where necessary, the overseas Governments concerned, and to make the first changes in the period between next July and March, 1973. Thereafter, I have in mind reviews every two years. I shall be considering the consequences for professional and academic staff who are already in post overseas. At subsequent reviews I shall consider whether it is necessary to bring further groups of staff within the scope of the new approach. Only in exceptional circumstances do I expect to 152W continue to revise allowances with reference to local conditions.