§ 6. Mr. Iremongerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what security briefing is given to members of United Kingdom Embassy staffs before taking up appointments in Iron Curtain countries; and what is the ratio of numbers of United Kingdom diplomatic staff in Iron Curtain countries to the numbers of diplomatic staff from those countries in the United Kingdom.
§ The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Mr. George Thomson)All members of the Diplomatic Service before being posted to the Soviet Union and the countries of Eastern Europe with Communist Governments are given a full briefing which includes a course covering all aspects of security.
The ratio of diplomatic staff between the United Kingdom and these countries is approximately 3:4. If non-diplomatic staff are added the ratio becomes approximately 2:3.