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Oral Answers to Questions — Diplomatic Service (Labour Attaches)

– in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 1 December 1947.

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Photo of Mr William Shepherd Mr William Shepherd , Bucklow 12:00, 1 December 1947

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the total number of Labour Attachés employed at Legations and Embassies, and the total cost involved in this service.

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

The total number of Labour Attachés at present employed at His Majesty's Missions abroad is 19. I understand that the total present cost of salaries and allowances paid to them and their staffs is estimated at £90,260 a year.

Photo of Mr William Shepherd Mr William Shepherd , Bucklow

Can the Minister tell us what advantage has been gained through the use of these people in this capacity?

Photo of Mr Christopher Mayhew Mr Christopher Mayhew , Norfolk Southern

I think there is a widespread view that their work is extremely valuable.

Photo of Mr Samuel Silverman Mr Samuel Silverman , Nelson and Colne

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that among our representatives in other countries, notably in the United States, during the war, none were better representatives than the Labour Attachés.

Secretary of State

Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.

Minister

Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.