HC Deb 07 December 1977 vol 940 cc1375-6
13. Mr. Dalyell

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what conveniently available figures he has for the number of officials of his Department born in Scotland.

The Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Evan Luard)

Officials employed by my right hon. Friend's Department are drawn from every region. But in selecting them we are not influenced by their places of birth, provided they meet the usual nationality requirements. Figures showing how many were born in Scotland are not available except at disproportionate cost.

Mr. Dalyell

My hon. Friend will acquit me of asking for things at disproportionate cost, since my Question asks for "conveniently available figures". Will the Government reflect, over the coming months, on whether they might not produce an objective study of the costs and other ramifications of devolution and the effects on the British Diplomatic Service—in particular, the costs of representation of a separate Scottish State in the Nine and elsewhere, not excluding the costs of a Scottish embassy or high commission here in London?

Mr. Luard

As a former member of the Diplomatic Service, I assure my hon. Friend that there is no shortage of Scottish people at every level. They are present in alarming numbers already. I agree with my hon. Friend that it would be a total disaster for the United Kingdom and, indeed, for Scotland to break up the Diplomatic Service. I am convinced that the great majority of the Scottish people realise that they have far more influence by Scots being able to occupy important positions within the United Kingdom Diplomatic Service than if there were an independent Scotland.

Mr. Henderson

We welcome the Minister's information that there will be enough members of the Civil Service of Scottish origin to occupy the Scottish Foreign Office within the next few years. Will the Minister assure his hon. Friend the Member for West Lothian (Mr. Dalyell) that, despite all his efforts, there is no possibility of his being appointed our first High Commissioner in London?

Mr. Luard

I do not think that anybody in the House has ever doubted the availability of gifted Scottish people, but what many of us believe is that they are better devoted to helping the United Kingdom Government to pursue the interests of Scotland as well as of England than they are in trying to represent an independent Scotland.