Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the comparative size of the UK's overseas diplomatic network and that of (a) France, (b) Germany and (c) Italy. [141890]

Mr Lidington, Minister of State: The UK has the third largest diplomatic network in the world with 266 overseas posts. France has 281, Germany 229, and Italy 228.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is strengthening its diplomatic network significantly, deploying more staff to the fastest growing regions, upgrading existing posts and opening new ones. We are the only European country that is expanding its diplomatic network in this way.

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