FOREIGN SERVICE (Training schemes for officers)

Mr J. F. Conceicao asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if there are formal training schemes for officers inducted into the foreign service; what forms these schemes take; and what amount of money was spent on these schemes during the years 1971 to 1973.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr Ong Soo Chuan) (for the Minister for Foreign Affairs): Mr Speaker, Sir, I have been asked to reply.

At the end of 1973, a Foreign Service Training Scheme was established for recruits to the Foreign Service. Prior to this date all training had been on an ad hoc basis supplemented with overseas training courses. The ad hoc training consisted largely of a series of talks relevant to the Ministry and basic in-service training in the Ministry and in Overseas Missions. Trainees were also attached to various Government Ministries and Departments in Singapore for briefings on the policies and functions of the Ministries and Departments of Government and on matters relevant to the officer's work overseas. The first group of trainees to undergo the new form of training was appointed by the Public Service Commission to the Foreign Service in late 1973, and hence commenced their training in January 1974.

The Foreign Service Training Scheme comprises four phases as follows:-

1st Phase - Basic Training

This is a full-time, three-month period of training made up of lectures and seminars on Foreign Service subjects. For the academic portion of this training, lecturers from the University of Singapore and the Staff Training Institute of Singapore are also used. For the practical part of the training diplomats and Heads of Missions of the Singapore Foreign Service who have returned to Singapore are used.

Courses on international relations, international law and international economics are some of the subjects taught with the assistance of the University of Singapore. There are also courses covering political and economic work, intelligence and social etiquette, protocol and consular work and personnel and financial administration. These are conducted with the assistance of the Ministries of Defence and Finance.

2nd Phase - Language Training

This is a part-time, six-month period of training in a foreign language selected by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. During this phase of training, trainees are also attached to various Divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other Government Ministries in Singapore.

For language training the foreign language training courses conducted by the Adult Education Board, the Language Centre of the University of Singapore as well as its Extra-curricular Studies Department are used. Also, where necessary, the Ministry makes available the services of private tutors for specific languages.

3rd Phase - Practical Training

This is a full-time, three-month period of on-the-job training. The trainee is attached to the United Nations desk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is the best available in Singapore "desk-type" training for young recruits to the Foreign Service.

4th Phase - Post-course Attachment

This is a full-time, two-month period of attachment to a particular South Asian or South-east Asian country for practical training purposes. Alternatively, the recruit is sent as a member of official delegations to international conferences or meetings, or even as a member of the official delegation to the United Nations.

Finally, under the Training Scheme, trainees are obliged to attend seminars and talks organised by the Institute of South-east Asian Studies and the University of Singapore, as well as the Ministry, on Foreign Service subjects.

Apart from the above, scholarships and Colombo Plan awards for foreign service training and intensive foreign language training offered through the Public Service Commission are used to improve and upgrade the knowledge and experience of Foreign Service officers who have completed the Training Scheme and are working either in the Ministry Headquarters or in Overseas Missions.

In 1971, a sum of $34,000 was spent on sending overseas officers on training courses awarded through the Public Service Commission. In 1972, expenditure on training increased to an amount of $48,000 when more officers became available for awards under the Colombo Plan for scholarships or training courses overseas on subjects relevant to the Foreign Service. In 1973, training was still largely ad hoc because the Training Scheme was not really implemented until the first group of trainees became available in 1974. Expenditure in 1973, including expenditure on training course overseas (for example, the Foreign Service Training Course in Canberra) was $34,800.

Mr J. F. Conceicao (Katong): Mr Speaker, Sir, just for the record. When, in reference to language courses, the Parliamentary Secretary referred to the Department of Extra-curricular Studies, was he referring to the Department of Extra-mural Studies?

Mr Ong Soo Chuan: Yes, Mr Speaker, Sir.

Mr Speaker: Before I call on the Member for Kallang to ask the second Question, may I indicate to hon. Members that supplementary questions may be put for the purpose of elucidating an oral answer, and are not meant to anticipate oral answers to other Questions to the Ministers concerned.