He was educated at Ludlow Grammar School and went up to Selwyn College, Cambridge in 1941 where he got his degree in natural sciences in just two years.
Jones entered the Diplomatic Service in 1947 and served in various overseas and London postings until 1971 when he was seconded first to the Lord President's Office and then the Cabinet Office to assist in the Great Debate which preceded the United Kingdom's entry to the European Economic Community and to help steer the European Communities Bill through Parliament.
Jones was forced to describe the party's position as being on a knife edge[2] so he must have taken the Treasurer's post with misgivings in 1984.
Having been appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order MVO (LVO from 1985) in 1961,[3] he was knighted for political and public service in the 1984 New Year Honours List.
He also undertook lecture tours of the United States on east-west relations and other international and political questions.