Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what professional development courses are made available to staff of his Department; and what the cost to the public purse is of each such course.

Strengthening the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) as an institution is a priority under our 'Diplomatic Excellence' programme. Our staff are able to access a range of courses to continue their professional development. In 2013-14 staff undertook activities and qualifications in various fields including audit, accountancy, human resources, procurement, economics, communications, foreign languages, project and programme management, law, estate asset management and information management. Departments in London and posts overseas have devolved funds for learning and development activities. To obtain titles for all courses available and the cost of each opportunity taken can only be done at disproportionate cost.