HC Deb 15 January 1976 vol 903 cc240-1W
Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will publish in the Official Report a table showing the number of local staff employed at the British Embassies in Paris, Bonn, Rome and Brussels; and how this figure compares with three and five years ago.

Mr. Ennals

The following are the figures required:

1971 1973 1976
Bonn 136 137 137
Brussels 66 71 86
Paris 151 166 158
Rome 90 83 86

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total number of local personnel employed by British embassies; and how this figure compares with three and five years ago.

Mr. Ennals

There are at present 5,773 locally-engaged staff employed at British embassies and High Commissions. The corresponding figures for 1971 and 1973 were 5,851 and 5,717 respectively.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the cut in entertainment allowances that he has announced in his Department will apply only to general entertainment expenses, or to the entertainment allowances of individual diplomats.

Mr. Ennals

The 10 per cent. cut will are generally expected to run British cars, apply to individual entertainment allow the instances are too numerous to specify. ances overseas.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the total amount of aid for boarding school education in the last financial year to Foreign Office employees who were actually resident in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Ennals

The total amount of boarding school allowance inclusive of tax paid to members of the Diplomatic Service serving in the United Kingdom in the financial year 1974–75 was £980,096.

Mr. Norman Lamont

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether a gross pre-tax sum is paid to Foreign Office employees for boarding school allowances in order to leave the recipient with the appropriate net sum.

Mr. Ennals

Yes. But this arrangement applies only to those members of the Diplomatic Service who are serving a tour of duty in the United Kingdom with a continuing commitment to serve overseas.