British Overseas Territories

Mr. Keith Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many officials in his Department are engaged in work relating to overseas territories.

Gillian Merron
[holding answer 7 May 2009]: There are 89 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) officials employed directly on UK Overseas Territories' issues. In addition, other staff with wider FCO responsibilities are called upon as necessary when specific issues arise in the Territories requiring specialist knowledge and expertise.

Mr. Keith Simpson
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many of his Department’s staff work on issues related to the UK Overseas Territories; and if he will make a statement.

Gillian Merron
There are 89 Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) staff employed directly on UK Overseas Territories’ issues. In addition, other staff with wider FCO responsibilities are called upon as necessary when specific issues arise in the territories requiring specialist knowledge and expertise.