§ 72. Mr. EvennettTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether there are any plans to end separate recruitment for civil servants in his Department.
§ Mr. EggarIn common with other Government Departments, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is responsible for its own recruitment at certain levels, mostly in the clerical and secretarial grades. Other recruitment to both the diplomatic and aid wings is carried out on the FCO's behalf by the Civil Service Commission. Entry to the administrative grades of the diplomatic service is through a common scheme of recruitment with the Home Civil Service, in which the same selection procedures apply. We have no plans to change these arrangements.