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Written question asked by Lord Wigley (Plaid Cymru) on Tuesday, 2 September 2025, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 16 September 2025. It was answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 September 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.


Diplomatic Service

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government in which UK embassies overseas staff are appointed at the request of (1) the Scottish government, (2) the Welsh government, and (3) the Northern Ireland Executive.

Answer

Officials from the Devolved Governments are based in various locations. They are commonly - but not always - based within the UK mission.

There are officials from all three Devolved Governments in Washington, Brussels and Beijing.

Scottish Government officials are also based in Berlin, Copenhagen, Dubin, Paris and Ottawa. Welsh Government officials are in Atlanta, Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Montreal, Bangalore, New Delhi, Mumbai, Chonqing, Shanghai, Berlin, Dusseldorf, Dubai, Dublin, Doha, Paris and Tokyo.

Staff employed by devolved trade and investment promotion agencies - Invest Northern Ireland, and Scottish Development International - are located in over 20 and 30 locations respectively. Again, these are often based within the UK mission.

Officials are appointed by the sponsoring Devolved Government, or relevant agency.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL10169
Session
2024-26
Subjects
Devolution Diplomatic service
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk