§ 76. Mr. Dodds-Parkerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what action he is proposing to safeguard Foreign Service staff and families from indignities and injury suffered in the course of their duties; and whether he will consider reducing such staffs to the 12W minimum in countries which appear unwilling or unable to maintain normal standards of behaviour and of protection of foreign representatives.
§ Mr. George BrownI am naturally always most concerned for the well being of Diplomatic staffs in exposed ports abroad. But it is one of the primary duties of Her Majesty's Diplomatic Service to do everything possible to protect British subjects, British interests and property abroad. We need our Missions most when the going is rough and it is not necessarily desirable to reduce their staffs in such circumstances. At the same time I have no intention of allowing the representatives of this country to be exposed needlessly to the risk of indignities and injury.
I gladly take this opportunity to express my admiration for the courage and fortitude shown by many members of the Service, their wives and children in recent weeks.