HC Deb 25 October 1999 vol 336 cc739-40W
Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many requests there have been to his Department for placement of officials from Central, East European and CIS states as twins of his officials; how many such officials have been accepted as twins; and from which countries(a) those who were accepted and (b) those who were not accepted came. [93995]

Mr. Vaz

We are aware of the following attachments from Central, East European and CIS States to UK Government Departments this year:

Czech Republic One official from the Ministry of the Interior's Refugee Department on a two-week work placement at Heathrow Airport. Three officials from the Environmental Inspectorate on a study visit to Heathrow, looking at protection of endangered species. Two Government human rights officials on a two-week work placement at the Commission for Racial Equality.

Estonia The Head of the European Union Department was attached to the European Union Department (External) (EUDE) in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) from 12-23 April.

Hungary The Head of the EU Political Relations Department was attached to the Common Foreign and Security Policy Department (CFSPD) in the FCO for one week in September.

Latvia The Head of the EU Policy Division was attached to EUD(E) in the FCO from 7-18 June. The Acting Head of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Policy Planning Group will undertake a short secondment to CFSPD in the FCO in November/December.

Lithuania One official attached to CFSPD in the FCO from 15-26 February.

Poland One environmental official currently on a five-month secondment to the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions (DETR).

Romania One official attached to the FCO for three days in Spring I999.

Russia One official from the Ministry of the Economy attached to the DETR for four weeks in April/May. Two officials attached to the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) for 3-4 weeks (all organised by the Civil Service College as part of the EU TACIS programme).

Slovakia One official attached to CFSPD in the FCO for 2-3 weeks in May.

Slovenia Two officials attached to the FCO, one from 19-23 April and one from 6-17 September. One official on a one-month fact-finding mission to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) in early summer. We are not aware of any requests for attachments that were not accepted.