HC Deb 03 December 1951 vol 494 c2024
56. Mr. F. J. Erroll

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state the number of officials at present employed by the British Middle East Office in Egypt, together with their salaries, designations and duties.

Mr. Eden

As the reply is somewhat lengthy, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Erroll

Will my right hon. Friend take the necessary steps to shorten the length of that reply in future?

Mr. Eden

I do not think my hon. Friend should make these comments until he has read the answer.

Mr. H. Hynd

Could the Foreign Secretary indicate briefly whether the answer is "Yes" or "No"?

Mr. Eden

How could it be "Yes" or "No"? The answer has to say how many officials there are, and it would not be either "Yes" or "No"; it would be a number.

Following is the reply:

The number of officials at the British Middle East Office in Cairo for which the Foreign Office is responsible is 15 and in addition there are 69 clerical and subordinate staff.

The salaries of the officials are: Head of Office: Salary £2,850 a year.

Political Division:

One Counsellor on a salary of £1,500 to £2,000 a year.

Three First Secretaries with salaries of £1,000 to £1,375 a year.

Development Division:

Head of Division on a salary of £1,700 a year.

Seven Senior Technical Advisers with salaries of £1,200 to £1,700 a year.

Two Junior Technical Advisers with salaries of £1,000 to £1,375 a year.

The principal duties of these officers are to report on political, economic, financial and social questions affecting more than one territory in the Middle East; to co-ordinate policy with all British authorities in the area; to maintain such contact as necessary with the Arab League; and through the Experts of the Development Division to give technical advice on request to Middle East Governments on economic and social developments.

Total cost on Foreign Office vote including contribution to Military Division is £129,000.

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