§ Mr. Robert B. Jonesasked the Secretary on State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many commercial staff (diplomatic grades) are currently in post at British embassies, consulates and high commissions; how many of those have been in post longer than three years; and how many were recruited specifically because of their commercial expertise.
§ Mr. RentonThere are around 350 UK-based staff serving with diplomatic status in posts overseas in which they are wholly or mainly engaged in commercial work. Four years is the normal length of tour in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and some other countries. Three years is the standard tour elsewhere, except in a few particularly hard posts. About 50 of the staff in question have currently been in post for longer than three years. The diplomatic service generally seeks to recruit staff for a long-term career, rather than for specific posts or functions. There have been additional special competitions open to older candidates which have attracted officers at first secretary level from the private sector.