§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal how many British diplomats in the United States of America are working specifically on Northern Ireland affairs.
§ Mr. HurdOur diplomats in the United States deal with the affairs of the United Kingdom as a whole. It is not therefore possible to say how much 619W effort is denoted to Northern Ireland, but it is substantial.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal how many British diplomats are based in the United States of America; and what is the total cost per annum.
§ Mr. HurdThere are 212 United Kingdom based staff in the United States funded on the Diplomatic Service vote. The total running costs of our posts there amounted in 1978–79 to £11.6 million.
§ Mr. Michael Brownasked the Lord Privy Seal if he is satisfied that British diplomats in the United States of America are effectively combating the propaganda of the Irish Republican Army in that country.
§ Mr. HurdYes. But there is much ignorance and prejudice to be overcome, and we are not complacent.