§ Mr. JoplingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether he will list for each post overseas the number of diplomatic staff, the number and percentage whose skill in those local language is functional or better, and the number and percentage whose skill is extensive.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information is not readily available in the form requested. However, of the total 3,257 mainstream Diplomatic Service officers, 2,978 have one or more language qualifications. Many have qualifications in more than one language. The total number of qualifications at functional level or better is 4,172. Of these 967 are at higher levels.