§ Mr. Craigenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people are now employed in the Diplomatic Service; and what proportion of staff in embassies and consulates are reckoned to be engaged in the promotion of trade and commerce or have a background of experience in marketing or business generally.
§ Mr. LuardAt present approximately 5,250 people are employed in the Diplomatic Service. In addition, about 9,850 home civil servants and officers engaged locally overseas are employed on Foreign and Commonwealth Office business. All are paid from the Diplomatic Service Vote.
637WFourteen per cent. of staff in embassies, high commissions and consular posts paid from the Diplomatic Service Vote are engaged full-time on trade promotion work. Other staff, from ambassadors downward, are engaged part-time on trade promotion work, which in all absorbs 34 per cent. of the Diplomatic Service's resources overseas.
It would be disproportionately expensive to ascertain the proportion of Diplomatic Service and related staff with prior marketing or business experience, although many were previously employed in commerce or industry. However, 32 per cent. of United Kingdom-based officers of representational grade have practical experience of commercial work at home and overseas in the Diplomatic Service.