§ Mr. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the implications of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review for the United Kingdom's diplomatic presence abroad. [61477]
§ Mr. FatchettMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary described the outcome of the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR) in his speech during the foreign affairs debate on 27 November 1998,Official Report, column 443. In essence, the uplift in the FCO budget will allow a significant programme of reform to modernise FCO operations world-wide. The aim is to adapt the network of overseas posts in response to changing priorities and to deploy staff and resources so as best to meet future objectives. 200 more members of the Diplomatic Service will be appointed; and 375 more staff in total.
The distribution of staff will reflect foreign policy priorities, particularly in commercial work. A further eight new overseas posts have been approved; commercial representation in China, Japan, India and Sweden will be strengthened; five Posts will close where the resources could be better deployed elsewhere. Britain's representation in the Caspian region will increase by 50 per cent., and be augmented significantly in member states of the EU and in countries aspiring to join the EU and NATO.