Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many personnel currently employed at the British High Commission in Nicosia have previously worked at the British Embassy in(a) Ankara and (b) Athens; and if he will make a statement on the inter-change of staff between the High Commission in Nicosia and the embassy at (i) Ankara and (ii) Athens; [68959]
(2) if he will make a statement on proposed changes in personnel employed at the British High Commission in Cyprus; and to which embassies or high commissions the existing personnel are being transferred; [68961]
(3) how many persons are employed at the United Kingdom High Commission office in Nicosia; how many of these are (a) Greek Cypriots and (b) Turkish Cypriots; and if he will make a statement. [68960]
§ Ms QuinThere are 25 UK based staff at the British High Commission in Nicosia. Two speak fluent Greek, one speaks fluent Turkish. One has served previously in684W Athens; another has served in Ankara. Of those leaving this year most will return to London; one will transfer to Athens.
Including part-time employees, there are 39 locally-engaged staff (the majority Greek Cypriot) in the High Commission office in Nicosia and 12 staff (the majority Turkish Cypriot) at separate premises in north Nicosia.