§ Mr. George Robertsonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Hamilton of 18 March, Official Report, column 551, if he has any plans to reduce the number of communications officers in missions overseas; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. EggarThe staffing levels at all diplomatic service missions overseas are reviewed regularly by the diplomatic service inspectors. Decisions on the number of staff employed on communications duties are taken as part of that process taking all factors, including cost, workloads and changes in communications techniques into account.