Mike Penning: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what (a) administrative and (b) financial changes were required to make FCO Services an executive agency, with particular reference to (i) use of consultants in the process as part of this change and (ii) increases in pay grades of key personnel. [68503] Margaret Beckett: My right. hon. Friend, the then Foreign Secretary (Mr. Straw) issued a Written Ministerial Statement on 20 March 2006 Official Report, columns 5-6WS, announcing that Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Services would become an Executive Agency (EA) of the FCO on 1 April 2006. FCO Services’ move to EA status is aimed at achieving best value for money both for the FCO and ultimately for the taxpayer.
In order to take forward the administrative and financial changes which were necessary, a project team of FCO and FCO Services staff was set up, supported by a small team of three professional consultants. The administrative changes have been set out in the Framework Document, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House and I will send a copy to the hon. Member. The financial changes have involved strengthening the FCO Services’ Finance team and modifying the FCO's financial management system to enable a proper separation of the Agency's accounts. There have been no increases to the pay grades of key personnel. | 
