HC Deb 22 January 1973 vol 849 cc30-1W
Mr. Deakins

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list by grade the numbers of staff in his Department who have been, or will he in 1973, required to work full-time in Brussels; and what progress has been made in obtaining such staff to take up full-time posts in Brussels.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

Three officers from my Department are at present required to work full-time in the Office of the United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Communities in Brussels; the grades concerned are under secretary, principal and higher executive officer (Administration).

The recruitment of staff to the Community institutions in Brussels is the responsibility of the institutions themselves and my Department's staff are not required to work in any of them. Recruitment to most posts in the institutions will be by open competitions which are now in progress and officers in my Department may apply if they wish. I am unable to say how many officers will take up posts as a result of these competitions.