BRITISH DIPLOMATS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 December 1940, Page 8

BRITISH DIPLOMATS

METHOD OF SELECTION. LONDON, October 10. . Selection and. examination of candidates for the British Diplomatic Serjvice, which was referred to by Mr. |Bevin at the Trades Union Congress yesterday, has followed well-defined tradition for many years. The service is recruited from an exclusive selection of candidates, | whose qualification for the entrance 'is carefully decided by a Selection [Board appointed by the Foreign Secretary. This board takes into account /education, health, general appearance "'and presence, and family background. ‘ Open competition does not exist, but the preliminary process of selection has been gradually widened of recent years. At one time Eton had a virtual monopoly. Now recruitment is made from other great public schools, such as Harrow, Winchester, Rugby and Charterhouse. The combination' of interview by a Selection Board and a competitive examination, has always confined the number of possible candidates within a narrow limit. The examination itself is similar to that required for the general Civil Service. French, German and one other language are demanded, and high marks are given for original essays and general intelligence as shown at a private interview.

Apart from the candidate’s intelligence and general fitness for the job, his health plays an important part in the minds of the Board. He may have to live in fever-infested tropics or in a rarefied atmosphere 10,000 ft above sea level.