§ Tony BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many diplomatic posts overseas his Department has closed in the last three years; and how many posts it plans to close in the next three years. [131103]
§ Mr. RammellThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office did not close any Posts in the financial years 2000–01, 2001–02 or 2002–03.
This financial year (2003–04) we have already closed Bamako. We have announced plans to close San Salvador, Managua and Tegucigalpa by the end of this financial year. There are currently no proposals to make any further closures of Diplomatic Posts in the next three years, although the situation is kept under continuous review.