§ Mr. MarlowTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many(a) Commission personnel and (b) direct European Council staff are involved with the European Community foreign and security policy; if he will set out their relative responsibilities and duties; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryThe section in the Commission which deals with the common foreign and security policy of the European Union is staffed by 125 Commission officials of all grades. The new CFSP unit in the Council secretariat is being developed from the former EPC secretariat. It is headed by a seconded ambassador and staffed by 11 seconded diplomats from member states—a 12th is expected to join the unit at a later date. It is envisaged that 12 permanent Council secretariat staff will join the unit in the future. The Commission personnel are responsible for advising Mr. van den Broek, the Commissioner for External Political Relations. The CFSP Unit in the Council secretariat works to the presidency.