§ 6. Mr. Michael Morrisasked the Lord Privy Seal if' he will increase diplomatic representation in Burma.
§ Mr. BlakerWe have no plans to increase our diplomatic representation in Burma at present.
§ Mr. MorrisIs my hon. Friend aware that that answer will be disappointing, although understandable? Is he also aware that there is now increasing evidence that Burma is becoming an outward-looking country? Will he ensure that we have adequate representation so that our commercial interests can take advantage of such opportunities as arise?
§ Mr. BlakerIt would be rather difficult to undertake to increase our representation in Burma at the moment, when our efforts are directed in general towards reducing the staffing of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. However, the embassy in Rangoon is due to be inspected early in 1982 under our normal inspection procedure, and the staffing of the embassy will be reviewed at that time. I welcome the more outward-looking point of view of the Government of Burma, which has been much in evidence in the last year.