Professor Ben Tonra:

We are faced with certain limitations in terms of the number of Ministers and Ministers of State we can have. I do not know whether we should create a ministerial post. We could consider an office of an ombudsman for diaspora affairs, linked to the current Ombudsman's office so that we are not creating a new quango. We could have a small team of people who liaise with our embassies and honorary consuls. They could do a lot of the travelling that is necessary to engage with the diaspora. As someone who has worked overseas for many years, I know that just to be asked and acknowledged is enormously important for those who have had to leave their native country.