HC Deb 23 July 2002 vol 389 cc889-90W
Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many new entrants to the diplomatic service in 2001 were(a) educated at independent school, (b) educated at public school, (c) educated at state school and (d) describe themselves as disabled; and for each category, whether they were (i) policy entrants or (ii) operational entrants. [72052]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

  1. (a) and (b) are counted together as the Foreign and Commonwealth Office only differentiates between independent and state schools. 28 new entrants were educated at independent schools. 14 were policy and 14 were operational entrants.
  2. (c) 48 new entrants were educated at state schools. 16 were policy and 32 were operational entrants.
  3. (d) Two new entrants described themselves as having a disability. One policy and one operational entrant.

These figures are published in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's 2002 departmental report.

Mr. McNamara

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many ambassadors and high commissioners are(a) from an ethnic minority background and (b) describe themselves as disabled. [72051]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

As at 1 July 2002 there were three members of the Senior Management Structure (SMS) who had declared themselves to be from an ethnic minority background. None of them is currently serving as either an ambassador or as a high commissioner.

Seven members of the SMS had declared themselves to have a disability. Two of these are currently serving as either an ambassador or a high commissioner.