§ 34. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what criteria determine the number of footmen at the British Embassy in Washington.
§ Mr. KershawThe same sort of criteria used to determine the number of civil servants employed in preparing answers to the hon. Gentleman's Questions, namely, the amount of work involved.
§ Mr. DalyellIs the hon. Gentleman aware that my Questions about Aldabra at least saved this country many millions of pounds? Is there not too much hospitality in our embassies?
§ Mr. KershawI know that the hon. Gentleman will scarcely believe it, but most normal people do not object to having discussion over a good meal, properly served in agreeable surroundings. Hospitality is an important part of the functions of a British Embassy and it should be given in a way which reflects credit both on the Ambassador and on his guests.
§ 35. Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the 92 members of the Diplomatic Service, 110 military attachés and personnel, 180 civil servants, and 300 906 locally-engaged staff of the British Embassy, constitute twice as big an Embassy in Washington as any other Western European Embassy.
§ Mr. KershawThe staffing of the Embassy in Washington, like that of all British diplomatic Missions, is determined by the job to be done in maintaining and promoting British interests. I cannot answer for other Governments.
§ Mr. DalyellWhat do all these people do?
§ Mr. KershawAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, the United States is our principal ally, our largest trading partner and in the military, technological and scientific sectors it plays the greatest rôle in cooperation with us. Washington is also the headquarters of international organisations to which we belong. Furthermore, the Inspectors who, following the Duncan Committee, recently reported on the Embassy, said that all these people in Washington were working to good purpose.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyCan my hon. Friend tell us whether Mr. John Freeman, when he was our Ambassador in Washington, supported the budget and the number of staff employed in the Embassy?
§ Mr. KershawMy hon. Friend is wrong there. We have reduced it since the last Government left office.
§ Mr. Denis HowellIn view of the constant lecturing by Lord Cromer to the last Government that they should considerably improve economy and efficiency, can the hon. Gentleman tell us, now that this gentleman has all these people under his personal control, what innovations he has made in order to secure greater efficiency among his own staff?
§ Mr. KershawLord Cromer has not been there very long, but I am sure that he already has the footmen under control.
§ Mr. MartenMy hon. Friend read out a list of reasons for having a large staff in Washington. Is there not another factor—that we have a special relationship with the United States?
§ Mr. KershawMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister spoke of this natural relationship.