§ Mr. Eldon Griffithsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what changes he proposes making in the disposition of British Consulates in the United States of America; which ones are to be closed; and what savings he expects to make as a result.
§ Mr. MulleyThe current reorganisation of consular representation in the United States will result in the regrouping of consular staff and resources at centres within larger and fewer geographical areas across the country. The main centres for consular work will be in Washington, New York, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Atlanta. We have established a separate Trade Development office in New York to coordinate our trade promotion efforts throughout the United States.
This redeployment, which is principally intended to give greater emphasis to commercial work at consular posts within the financial and manpower resources at present available, involves the closure of Her Majesty's Consulate-General at New Orleans and Her Majesty's Consulate at Denver. These closures will produce annual savings in salaries, allowances and rents of approximately £55,000.