To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 2 February 2010, Official Report, column 239W, on departmental manpower, what the annual salary is of each (a) ambassador and (b) high commissioner serving overseas. (316233)

[holding answer 8 February 2010]: Our ambassadors and high commissioners (heads of mission) abroad are appointed from a range of civil service grades.

The pay ranges for staff in the senior civil service are determined centrally and based on the findings of the independent senior salaries review body.

For staff below the senior civil service, Departments are responsible for setting their own salary ranges following guidance issued by HM Treasury and the Cabinet Office.

The average salary for a head of mission is £80,852. Information on the number of heads of mission receiving salaries over £90,000 is provided in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s annual departmental report, which can be viewed at:

http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/pdf/4103709/5476465/departmental-report/dept-report-vol2-2