asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will publish in HANSARD the total number of civil servants employed in the Foreign Office on 1st October, 1951, and 1st October, 1963, together with their respective costs.

The staff employed in the Foreign Office on 1st October, 1951, totaled 1,722, at an annual cost of £1,003,250. The corresponding figures for 1st October, 1963, were 1,761 staff, at an annual cost of £2,168,000.

In view of the fact that, for the past thirteen years, and getting on for fourteen years now, we have been promised that the Government would drastically reduce the whole of the Civil Service, including the Foreign Office, and its costs, may we have some idea of when this is likely to happen? Is it likely to happen before the election, whether in the autumn or whenever it may be?

I think that the hon. Gentleman can answer that as well as I can. What he must bear in mind is that, although the period for which I have given the figures has been most difficult in international relations, and although Her Majesty's Government have entered into diplomatic relations with 22 additional countries during that time, the extra work at home has been largely absorbed by the existing staff at the Foreign Office.

Mr. Arthur Lewis, for the next Question, please.

The Minister read that brief very well, but will he answer my supplementary question?

I called the hon. Gentleman for the next one, please.