To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the overseas security officer posts at diplomatic posts in (a) Beijing, (b) Cairo, (c) Moscow and (d) Hong Kong were contracted out in 2000; what the cost of the contracts let to cover each of these posts was; and if he will make a statement. (203482)

The contract for providing guards at diplomatic posts in Beijing, Cairo, Moscow and Hong Kong started in 2003. The cost of the contract, between financial years 2003-04 to 2007-08, is £4.09 million.

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what estimate he has made of the turnover of staff employed as overseas security officers under the Control Risks contract in each year since the contract was let; what the cost of this staff turnover to his Department has been; what discussions he has had with Control Risks on staff turnover issues; and if he will make a statement. (203486)

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) no longer employs overseas security officers. The FCO contracts for the provision of an agreed level of service. The turnover of staff is, therefore, primarily a matter for the contracting company.

We have held regular contract review discussions with Control Risks, as part of our rigorous performance monitoring of the contract, at which turnover has featured.