To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) how many persons employed in each year in the overseas information department were previously employed in the information research department;(2) what are the terms of reference of the overseas information department;(3) how many members of staff are employed by the overseas information department; what are their responsibilities; and what are the department and section titles.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office overseas information department ceased to exist in 1980. Its terms of reference were to provide guidance and background briefing on matters of general concern affecting Government policies. To research details on an annual basis of the redeployment of former information research department employees would involve disproportionate cost.