3 May 1989]
Class II, Vote 1 1989-90
Overseas Representation
AI(1) Centrally controlled running costs
UK-based salaries etc
Allowances and Entitlements
Cental Administrative Expenditure including
1. Travel
2.
Personnel Services
3. Training
THE FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE
35
[Continued
Provision
£000s
151,234
41,928
21,083
3,848
1,532
4.
Conferences and Visits
1,936
5. Transport
264
6. Communications
15,397
7. Office Services and Supplies
3,728
8. Maintenance of Computers and Advanced Equipment
2,985
9. Miscellaneous Expenditure
2,828
246,763
Furniture
AI(2) Home and Overseas Accommodation Costs
Accommodation, Rents, Rates & Taxes
Fuel and Utilities
42,917
7,950
1,859
Maintenance
8,198
60,924
Al(3) Locally Controlled Administration Costs
104,203
Although subhead AI(3) covers a wide range of overseas expenditure, it cannot be broken down because overseas Posts have full discretion on how they deploy their budget resources to achieve their objectives. For Estimates purposes this subhead is indivisible.
2. What progress has been made in remedying the manpower shortage discussed in last year's oral evidence at Q.53? Can you provide a breakdown of staff categories setting out where shortages occur, and comment on their effect?
The shortfall between staff in post and provision has fallen in the last year. The shortfall at the end of February 1989 was 105 (136 in February 1988) and at the end of March 1989 126.5 (161 in March 1988). This is 1.9 per cent of provision (2.5 per cent in March 1988). It compares with a shortfall of 270 at end July 1987.
The main shortages at the end of March are in the following grades (March 1988 figures in brackets):
DSE7E DS9
Administrative Officer
Administative Assistant
Technical and Communication Grades*
-14.5
(-45)
-42
(-46)
-28
(+31)
-16
(-36.5)
-62
(-42)
These shortages are partly offset by surpluses in some other grades, especially by successful recruitment in DS10 (+47 compared to -42 in March 1988).
Since March 1988, there has been an overall improvement in staffing DS mainstream grades. But the position in some support grades as well as in technical and communications grade has deteriorated. The effect of the shortfall is that the FCO cannot fill all established posts nor meet all the short term demands for summer relief work. It also imposes continuing constraints on training (although the number of man years devoted to training is improving), allows an inadequate margin for operational handover periods and staff leave, and increases costs because overtime has to be paid to some grades serving in London.
3. How many resignations from the Diplomatic Service occurred in the last year? How does this compare with each of the last 5 years? At what level were those who resigned? What reasons were given?
*Figure of 48.5 given to Committee in 1988 (Annex to Fourth Report, p36) included some non-Technical and Communications grades. Comparable March 1989 figure to that given last year - 66.5.