FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS

Evening Star, Issue 25750, 25 March 1946, Page 9

FOREIGN OFFICE OFFICIALS

"OLD SCHOOL TIE" APPOINTMENTS

LABOUR PARTY TAKEN TO TASK (N.Z.E.F. Special Correspondent.) LONDON, March 21. For some time r there have been uneasiness and dissatisfaction among sections of the British Labour Party about the appointment of Foreign Office officials. It showed itself recently when Sir Alexander Cadogan was made Britain's permanent representative on the Security Council. It was heard again in the House of Commons this week when Mr W. N. Warbey, Labour representative for Luton, declared that this post should be held by a Minister of Cabinet rank, resident at the seat of the United Nations Organisation. But he received no support from Mr Hector McNeil, tho Foreign Under-Secretary, who declared that Sir Alexander Cadogan had qualifications which it would be difficult to match either in Britain or in any other country. This debate may help to clear the air on, a subject which has been the cause of criticism of the Government .by members of its own party. It revealed a certain prejudice against the " old school tie," which an Opposition member did hot hesitate to point out was well represented in' the Government itself. SOCIALIST OUTLOOK NECESSARY Mr AVarbey expressed the opinion that it was vital that the permanent British representative's seat on the Security Council should be held on behalf of a Socialist' Government by a Socialist. The Government, he went on, had a Socialist outlook, and represented the broad masses of the common people, while officials who were charged with the execution of their policy and with making political judgments and decisions had ari outlook which was necessarily that of the small social group which was politically defeated last year. The principal ambassadors and senior Foreign Office officials were drawn from the more exclusive schools. MR EDEN'S SARCASM. Mr Anthony Eden said that if higher appointments in the Foreign Office were to change with a chauge of Government it would be an utter calamity for the nation. " I never felt that I turned to any official because of his political opinions," he said. Replying to criticisms of " old school tie " influence, Mr Eden said: " Mr Warbey is really worried because he fears that the Foreign Secretary is being shaped and moulded by sinister old Etonian officials. A _ terrible thought! He fears the Foreign Secretary may become as completely Eton and Kings (Cambridge) as the Chancellor of the Exchequer. Let us eschew that dreadful event!" He added that the Foreign Office reforms which he had instituted in 1943 had as their, whole object the making sure that everybody, wherever born, should have an equal chance in. the service. QUESTION OF QUALIFICATIONS. Mr McNeil, replying to the debate, said that at periodio meetings of the Security Council the Foreign Secretary or another Minister would attend, but for normal and continual sessions there must be a permanent member. He should be someone who had a good background of international experience, and should know the working of the Council and Charter i and the organisation generally. He should be a man of probity. Sir Alexander Cadogan had those qualifications. He should also be a man of integrity and honesty. Sir _ Alexander had represented Britain at various international gatherings, and it would be difficult io match him in those, qualifications, either in. this country or any other. FEWER PUBLIC SCHOOL MEN. Of 58 new entrants to the service, 19 had never been to a well-known public school, and only one of the 58 came from Eton. Many came frqm little Scottish towns—Montrose was one. Some were from London County Council schools, and some from Liverpool and Manchester. " We are\ only now getting the full effect of the Education Act of 1902, and we will continue to cast our net wide -to get these fellows, because there are new forces in every country in the world, and we have to make new contacts," Mr McNeil said. He also paid a tribute to the reforms carried out bv Mr Eden, and said thai he and Mr Bevin were deriving benefit from them.