HC Deb 07 March 1986 vol 93 cc296-7W
Mr. Coleman

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new posts have been created within the Secretariat-General of the Western European Union and within other organs of the Western European Union since the Rome declaration of October 1984; what responsibilities and salaries these posts carry; which of them have been filled and by whom; by what means new staff are being recruited; and what steps are being taken to keep (a) Parliament and (b) the Assembly of the Western European Union, informed of such developments occurring in the course of the Western European Union reinvigoration process.

Mr. Eggar

[pursuant to his reply, 6 February 1986, c. 242]: We are now able to supply the following information:

Places and Name of WEU Organisation New Posts (A-Grade) Responsibilities Starting Salaries (net monthly) £ Post filled or vacant
Agency II 1 Hors Grade Director 3,145 Filled (United Kingdom)
4 Officials (A2 to A6) Research/Study 1,242 to 2,369 3 Filled*; 1 Vacancy
Agency III 1 Hors Grade Director 3,145 Filled (France)
4 Officials (A2 to A6) Research/Study 1,242 to 2,369 Filled*
Joint Administration Offices 7 Officials (A2 to A6) Administration, Security, Documentation, Translation, Interpretation and General Services 1,242 to 2,369 All Filled*

* Nineteen out of 20 A-grade positions in Paris have been filled. They have been allocated as follows:

  • Belgium: 3
  • Federal Republic of Germany: 4
  • Luxembourg: 1
  • United Kingdom: 2
  • France: 4
  • Italy: 3
  • Netherlands: 2.

The overall effect of recent changes on personnel in London is a reduction of one hors-grade (assistant secretary-general) post and one former A-grade post balanced by the creation of the four new A-grade posts.

The overall effect on WEU personnel of recent changes in Paris is the creation of one new director and a reduction of six A-grade officials.

Vacancy notices are issued to the national representatives in the Permanent council for onward transmission to their capitals; they are also sent where appropriate to other international organisations. Contracts for employment will in principle be of short-term duration in the first instance in view of the transitional period which extends to the end of December 1987.