Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what proportion of requests for consultancy and temporary staff for his Department were approved via a resource board.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) defines 'consultancy' and 'temporary' staff as agency staff; contingent staff; and contractors.

In the Financial Year 2016/17, in compliance with Cabinet Office recruitment controls, the FCO's Chief Operating Officer approved 23 out of 25 requests for the recruitment of temporary staff for London-based roles. All approvals were for the recruitment of temporary staff paid on a daily rate.