§ 46. Mr. Englishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will state, by such regional groupings as may be convenient, but including the United States of America separately, what are the theoretical and average current actual periods consuls-general and consuls spend in each post.
§ Mr. George ThomsonThe length of tours varies according to conditions at the post, the needs of the Service, and the personal circumstances of the officers concerned. Normally, however, it is the aim that Consular officers should spend in the:
U.S.A. Four years South-East Asia and Far East Three to four years Western Europe Four years Sino-Soviet bloc Two years Middle East Three to four years East Africa Three to four years The expense of calculating the actual average period spent over an arbitrary period of, say, ten years would not in my opinion be justified.
I have no reason to suppose that practice differs significantly from theory.
I should be glad to consider the case of any particular officer whom my hon. Friend has in mind, though I must point out that the Secretary of State must reserve the right to lengthen or shorten the tours of individual officers, as he sees fit, to meet the needs of the Service.