§ Mr. Shinwellasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs on what terms Sir Con O'Neill has been employed; and what are his functions.
§ Mr. George ThomsonSince 1st September, 1969, Sir Con O'Neill has been employed as a temporary officer on contract with a salary of £9,800 per year. He has the status of a Deputy Under-Secretary in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. His functions are to supervise within the Foreign and Commonwealth Office matters concerning our relations with the European communities; and in any negotiations with the10W European Economic Community on British membership he would lead our official negotiating team.