HC Deb 05 December 1955 vol 547 cc12-3W
Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the number and whereabouts of the Foreign Office Security Department regional security officers serving abroad today, and at the time when Messrs. Maclean and Burgess made good their escape from this country.

Mr. Turton

There are now three regional security officers, in Bonn, Vienna and Washington. In May, 1951, there were also regional security officers in Cairo, Buenos Aires and Singapore.

Captain Kerby

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs the annual cost of the Foreign Office Security Department during the financial years 1950–51 and 1951–52, and if he will give the exact sums expended in pay and allowances, and as between the Foreign Office proper and its regional security officers, for each year, respectively.

Mr. Turton

The annual cost of the Foreign Office Security Department in the financial years 1950–51 and 1951–52 was £12,574 and £15,336 respectively, of which £12,060 and £15,007 represented pay and allowances. The annual cost in pay and allowances of the regional security officers abroad was £13,300 and £14,139 in these two years.