§ Mr. Georgeasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many permanent staff are engaged principally in work related to (a) foreign and Commonwealth affairs and (b) specifically relating to the Overseas Development Administration; and whether this has changed since 1979.
§ Mr. RentonThe average estimated provision for permanent United Kingdom-based staff employed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in 1985–86 is 9,885. Of these, 8,330 are principally engaged in Foreign and Commonwealth affairs, and 1,555 in Overseas Development Administration. The overall reduction in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office staff provision since 1979 is 14 per cent.