HC Deb 22 January 1968 vol 757 cc32-3W
Mr. James Davidson

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Affairs what were the total numbers of civil servants employed by the Commonwealth Office and the former Colonial Office, respectively, as appropriate, at the beginning of 1946, 1951, 1964, and at the latest available date.

Mr. George Thomson

The total staffs were:

1946—Dominions Office 189
India and Burma Offices 968
Colonial Office 1,194
Total 2,351
1951—Commonwealth Relations Office 1,031
Colonial Office 1,591
Total 2,622
1961—Commonwealth Relations Office 1,729
Colonial Office 642
Total 2,371
1967—Commonwealth Office 3,996

The last figures include 2,669 staff for whom my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and I have been jointly responsible since the formation of the Diplomatic Service on the 1st of January, 1965, These consist of staff working in joint Foreign Office/Commonwealth Office departments including the Diplomatic Service Administration Office and staff in training and transit.

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