§ 31. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have recently been made to him by British commercial interests about the delay in implementing the Central Policy Review Staff's report on the Diplomatic Service; and what plans he has to improve the effectiveness of commercial departments in British posts and embassies overseas.
§ Mr. TomlinsonNo specific representations have been made about delays in implementing the CPRS's recommendations concerning the export services: indeed, most representations have urged caution.
As my hon. Friend told the House on 22nd February, Ministers are on the point of completing their collective consideration of the CPRS report and are paying close attention to those aspects of the report dealing with the commercial work of posts overseas. In this they are being aided by the recent report of the Defence and External Affairs Sub-Committee.