§ Mr. Biggs-Davisonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what were the considerations that prompted him to close Her Majesty's embassy in Saigon when the recognised Government of the Republic of South Vietnam was functioning; how many British subjects remained in the country; what advice was given to them; how many Vietnamese employees of the embassy who desired evacuation were left behind; and what is the estimated cost to public funds of closing and later reopening a British mission in Saigon.
§ Mr. Ennals,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 2nd May 1975; Vol. 891, c. 287], circulated the following information:
An estimate of the cost of closing our mission in Saigon is given below:
£ Total cost of air passages 26,500 Cost of freight for cars and effects 6,000 Subsistence paid to FCO personnel 1,500 Terminal gratuities to staff 1,500 Miscellaneous 300 35,800 The cost of reopening the mission in Saigon will largely consist of the expenses incurred in sending United Kingdom staff and their baggage to the mission. However, it is not yet known what number or status of staff will be required.