HC Deb 16 October 1975 vol 897 cc813-4W
Mr. Marten

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what reductions have taken place in the staffs of British embassies in countries where the EEC has opened up delegation offices.

Mr. Ennals

Delegation offices exist in six countries in order to represent Community interests. Our embassies are required to meet the full range of United Kingdom interests. Although their staffing is regularly reviewed and changed when necessary, no reduction has yet been made in them as a result of delegation offices being established in those countries.

Mr. Hooley

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report those British embassies or consulates in developing countries which have been closed during 1974 and 1975 for reasons other than the breaking off of diplomatic relations.

Mr. Ennals

The following career posts were closed either as a result of an inspection by Diplomatic Service inspectors or for economy reasons: Deputy High Commission at Benin City, Nigeria; Consulate-General at Lahore, Pakistan; Consulate-General at Lubumbashi, Zaire; Consulate at Medan, Indonesia.

The embassies in Tananarive, Lomé, Managua and Tegucigalpa are being closed for the sake of economy before the end of the present financial year.