§ Mr. WyattTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact on the(a) diplomatic and (b) business role of the United Kingdom Consulates in California on the creation of five separate regional development agency offices in that state. [79921]
§ Mr. RammellThere have been no formal assessments of the impact on the Consulates in California of the local Regional Development Agency (RDA) offices. However, if an RDA wishes to open a new (or expand an existing) overseas office, it is required to present a business case for prior approval by my noble Friend the Baroness Symons, and by the Consulate General.
Although the RDAs have no diplomatic remit, their presence can strengthen the FCO's public diplomacy effort, for example, when issues arise concerning a particular area of the UK (e.g. Northern Ireland).
Our Consulates in California have a good relationship with the RDAs, and integrate their business activities where practicable. To ensure there is no "double handling", the inward investment activity of the RDAs is regulated by the Committee on Overseas Promotion Guidelines, which require them to notify the relevant Post in advance before visiting companies within the Post's area of responsibility.