§ 77. Mr. David Watkinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the staffing of the diplomatic service for purposes of overseas trade promotion compares with the level recommended by Lord Plowden in 1964; and what proposals he has to improve it.
§ Mr. Mulley:Lord Plowden made no specific recommendations about the number of staff who should be employed on trade promotion. As his Committee recommended, this work has been a first charge on the resources of the Diplomatic Service since its inception in 1965. Many improvements both in the organisation of the work and in the conditions of service of local officers abroad have already been made and others are under consideration. Instructions were issued, following devaluation, to all Heads of Mission to divert staff to trade promotion if necessary at the expense of other work wherever the demand for commercial services from United Kingdom exporters may require it.