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the Administration and the Trade Union Side. And, at a time when the Service is under pressure to keep a tight rein on all its resources, including manpower, it would be irresponsible to offer special treatment to a group of officers outside the DS whom we could not, in practice, absorb into the Service. We would not, in any case, want to commit ourselves to taking on people irrespective of their skills and personal qualities. That said, however, we could take an important step towards meeting the demands of members of HMOCS who are keen on permanent transfer to the DS, whether or not they apply for posts in other DTs. Recruitment Section in PPD administer a scheme through which Home Civil Service members of the FCO and other Government Departments can apply for inward transfer to the DS. During September and October we examine applications received over a 12 month period and invite the most promising candidates to a board interview. have a ceiling of 2 places at each of grades DS9-DS5, which we are under no obligation to fill if the standard is not high enough. We would be happy to extend the scheme to include eligible members of HMOCS. From their point of view it offers them the chance to be considered fairly and equally with all other inward transfer applicants. From ours, it demonstrates our commitment to doing all we can to help members of HMOCS, without compromising the principle that we recruit to the DS solely on merit; and within an existing scheme whose effect on have already taken into account.
We
5. I fear that we cannot offer "longer contracts" as you suggest which include the option of more than one posting. Contract officers are, by definition, hired to do a specific job for a specific length of time. It is possible to extend the contract if the job takes longer than originally thought. But we cannot issue contracts for a specific period of time during which the contract officer will do unspecified work. If an HMOCS officer on contract in one DT wished to transfer to another DT post on the expiry of his contract, he would have to undergo the same board procedures as all other eligible candidates, and be subject to a fresh contract if successful. This would not only be consistent with the DS' personnel practice; it would also reflect the PUS' commitment to Mr Patten to treat HMOCS officers on merit and equally, both with their DS colleagues and each other.
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**the structure of the Service and career prospects of existing
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