To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many (a) UK diplomatic staff there were in Russia and (b) Russian diplomatic staff there were in the UK (i) immediately prior to the expulsion of diplomats in 2007 and (ii) at the latest date for which figures are available. (240784)

Immediately prior to the expulsion of diplomats in July 2007, the UK had 78 diplomatic staff in Russia, including temporary staff, while Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) records showed that 77 Russians were notified to the FCO as being posted to the UK with diplomatic rank. At present, the UK has 78 diplomatic staff posted to Russia, while current FCO records show that 72 Russian diplomatic staff are registered in the UK. These figures are subject to routine fluctuation depending on arrivals and departures in posts.