DR 327: Letter to the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs from the Chairman of the Committee

 

 

Secondment of police officers to reconstruction missions overseas

 

I write to seek further clarification on a matter raised in an article in the Financial Times on Monday 2^nd March. I attach a copy of the article in question.

 

The article suggests that as a result of budgetary constraints resulting from the financial crisis, the UK will withdraw many of the police officers currently seconded overseas to help with reconstruction efforts and reduce the UK's contribution to a level similar to Slovakia's.

 

My Committee would be grateful for a memorandum on this matter clarifying what level of support the FCO anticipates it will be able provide for reconstruction efforts overseas in the near future, and in particular the number of police officers that will be seconded for these purposes.

 

18 March 2009