§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will consider abolishing national embassies in foreign countries and seeking to replace them with combined EEC legations or trade missions to cut costs.
§ Mr. TomlinsonWe are always open to ideas for co-ordinating foreign policy among the Nine and saving public funds. At our suggestion the Nine are currently examining whether a start could be made with some sharing of services and physical facilities in some third countries. Our partners do not appear ready at the first stage to consider joint missions. It is premature to think of abolishing national embassies.