§ Mr. DobsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what was the number of staff working in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's research department and the expenditure on the research department; and if he will list the functions of the research department, for each year since 1983.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydStaffing levels, including administration, clerical and secretarial support, and expenditure for research and analysis department are as follows:
Year Staff Running costs £ million 1983–84 89 1.8 1984–85 89 1.8 1985–86 89 2.0 1986–87 90 2.1 1987–88 91 2.3 1988–89 93 2.5 1989–90 92 3.1 1990–91 90 3.4 The function of the department is to contribute to the formulation of overseas policy through the provision of assessments and advice based on specialist experience.