To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications for the post of Consul-General in New York were from ethnic minorities; and how many ethnic minority candidates were interviewed. [77756]

Of the 168 applications for the position of Director-General Trade and Investment, and Consul-General New York, seven declared themselves to be from a minority ethnic background. None of the six candidates interviewed declared themselves to be from a minority ethnic background.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many people applied for the post of consul-general in New York and how many applicants came from (a) private sector and (b) public sector backgrounds. [77753]

Of the 168 applicants for the position of Director-General Trade and Investment US, the Consul-General New York, 156 were from the private sector and 12 were from the public sector.