Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs from the Chairman of the Committee, 16
March 2004
RESOURCING OF
THE BRITISH
EMBASSY IN
KUWAIT
The Committee noted with considerable interest
the recent front-page article in The Daily Telegraph, concerning
the potential closure of the UK Embassy in Kuwait owing to budgetary
constraints ("We're broke so embassy must close, says Our
Man in Kuwait," The Daily Telegraph, 10 March 2004).
As you are aware, the Committee has been concerned
for some time about the level of resources available to the Foreign
Office, particularly in light of the efficiency targets agreed
with HM Treasury (see paragraphs 92 and 99 of our Report on the
FCO Annual Report 2003, for example). I would be grateful, therefore,
if you could provide the Committee with details of the current
situation with regard to the British Embassy in Kuwait and a background
to the difficulties it is facing. We would also wish to see, on
a confidential basis if necessary, the internal memo quoted in
the article.
Please could we receive your response no later
than Wednesday 31 March.
Rt Hon Donald Anderson MP
16 March 2004
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