§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will give the cost involved in maintaining embassies and consular offices for each of the past five years.
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§ Mr. EggarThe cost to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of maintaining its 207 posts overseas (including high commissions and missions to international organisations and conferences as well as embassies and consular posts) for each of the past five years is as follows:
£ million 1983–84 188.5 1984–85 215.6 1985–86 216.2 1986–87 250.5 1987–88 271.0 Analysis of expenditure for 1986–87 is still proceeding. The figure for 1987–88 is an estimate.
§ Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on measures taken to improve embassy security in countries with volatile political systems.
§ Mr. EggarThe threat to security at all our missions overseas is under constant review. Additional measures are implemented as necessary to protect individuals, classified information, offices and residences. For security reasons, it is not our practice to reveal specific details about measures taken in particular posts.