§ Mr. Mellorasked the Lord Privy Seal by what 1982 percentage the total payroll of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, excluding the Passport Office, has been reduced since 1969; by what percentage the mainstream grades of the Diplomatic Service have been reduced over the same period; and if he will give similar figures for the period 1979 to date.
§ Mr. HurdThe payroll of the Foreign and 1985 Commonwealth Office, excluding the Passport Office, has been reduced since 1 April 1969 by 17.8 per cent. The mainstream grades of the Diplomatic Service have been reduced over the same period by 23.2 per cent. From 1 April 1979 to 1 April 1981 the corresponding figures are 4.6 per cent. and 7.3 per cent.
141WThe reductions have been achieved by a process of rigorous inspection of posts overseas as well as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office itself. Since 1969 we have also closed 54 subordinate posts overseas, including 15 since 1979.