Written question asked by Denis MacShane (Labour) on Friday, 2 July 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 July 2010. It was answered by Alistair Burt (Conservative) on Thursday, 15 July 2010 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Diplomatic Service: Redundancy

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which overseas posts his Department is considering for possible closure.

Answer: As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has stated, we will not secure the UK's economic recovery or our future security and prosperity without looking beyond our shores for new opportunities and new partners. There can be no suggestion that it is in our national interest for our role in the world to wither and shrivel away. The Government reject the idea of strategic shrinkage. Although we keep the size and scope of our network under constant review to ensure it is efficient and effective, any decisions to open or close posts will always take into account the crucial role our overseas network plays in serving the needs and protecting the interests of the British people.

Secondary information