§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many telegrams were exchanged between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and British diplomatic missions last year; and how this figure compares with the number of such telegrams in 1960 and 1970, respectively.
§ Mr. RowlandsThe number of telegrams exchanged last year between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, including telegrams sent on behalf of other Government Departments, and posts abroad, including consulates and dependent territories, was 506,543. The comparable figure for 1970 was 414,062. Certain unclassified telex messages are not included in these figures. The number of telegrams exchanged between the Foreign Office and diplomatic posts abroad in 1960 was 152,363. I regret that figures for telegrams sent or received in that year by the Commonwealth Relations Office and Colonial Office are not available.
§ Mr. Hurdasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
848W(1) what he estimates to be the total cost to public funds this year and in 1960 and 1970 of Her Majesty's Embassy in Washington, including the costs of specialist officers; (2) what he estimates to be the total cost to public funds this year, in 1960 and in 1970 of the British High Commission in New Delhi, including the cost of specialist officers.
§ Mr. RowlandsWe do not maintain records of the total costs of individual posts abroad. Such figures can be compiled but since we are unable to complete them before Parliament is prorogued I shall write to the hon. Member.