§ 41. Mr. Peytonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why the staff of his Department has increased in each of the last two years.
§ Mr. R. AllanThe increase of 186 in the last two years is largely attributable to additional commitments, arising from the emergence of independent States in Africa; major international conferences; tasks arising out of the Anglo-Egyptian Agreement of 1959 and the re-establishment of a diplomatic mission in Cairo; the transfer to the Foreign Service establishment of staff responsible for negotiations on European economic questions; and the increase in the number of applications for passports. There has also been an improvement in the recruiting position which has helped us to meet these and other outstanding commitments.
§ Mr. PeytonWhile I understand most of that answer, may I ask whether my hon. Friend is able to give an assurance regarding the continuing importance of recruiting people to the Foreign Service that there is no gentleman named "Mr. Parkinson" at the Foreign Office?
§ Mr. AllanThat is true enough, but I can assure my hon. Friend that on personnel matters the Foreign Service is stretched to the limit and beyond. I should like to assure him that it will not expend further, but I must point out the extent of future commitments which are unavoidable.
§ Mr. HealeyIn view of the fact that the Prime Minister has taken foreign policy out of the hands of the Foreign Secretary over the last two years, would it not have been wiser to transfer a large part of the staff of the Foreign Office to No. 10 Downing Street or is it the Prime Minister's intervention which has caused the Foreign Office all this extra work?