HC Deb 04 April 1984 vol 57 cc576-7W
Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the Government's current policy in respect of the use of scientific attachés; and by what criteria they are allocated to the various posts.

Mr. Whitney

Science and technology officers are posted to certain countries in the forefront of scientific and technological development. They are responsible for keeping abreast of such developments in these countries, and providing advice and reports as necessary for use by the Government and the private sector. The posts, which are kept under regular review, are allocated on the basis of need and in the light of available resources.

Sir David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report the number of scientific attachés currently in post; and where are their postings.

Where posted
Country City Appointment
Australia Canberra Counsellor (Defence Research) Ministry of Defence Post
China Peking First Secretary (Cultural and Science) British Council Post
Second Secretary (Science Officer) DS Post
France Paris Counsellor (Technology) DS Post
First Secretary (Technology) DS Post
First Secretary (Technology) DS Post
Second Secretary (Technology) DS Post
Federal Republic of Germany Bonn Counsellor (Science and Technology) DS Post
First Secretary (Science and Technology DS Post
India New Delhi First Secretary (Head of Projects Unit) British Council Post
First Secretary (Projects Officer I) British Council Post
First Secretary (Projects Officer II) British Council Post
Bombay First Secretary (Science) British Council Post
Calcutta First Secretary (Science) British Council Post
Madras First Secretary (Science) British Council Post
Japan Tokyo Counsellor (Atomic Energy) United Kingdom AEA Post
Counsellor (Science and Technology) DS Post
First Secretary (Science and Technology) DS Post
Mexico Mexico City First Secretary (Scientific and Technological Affairs) British Council Post
Soviet Union Moscow First Secretary (Science and Industry) DS Post
Third Secretary (Scientific) DS Post
Sri Lanka Colombo Assistant Cultural Attaché—Science British Council Post
Switzerland Berne Counsellor (Science and Technology) Resident in Bonn
USA Washington Counsellor (Science and Technology) DS Post
First Secretary (Science) DS Post
First Secretary (Technology) DS Post
Atomic Energy Attaché United Kingdom AEA