§ 44. Mr. MANDERasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has any statement to make with reference to the newly formed British Council for Relations with other Countries; what the scope of its activities will be and what grant from public funds it is proposed to make; whether the work already carried out on similar lines by the Institute of Intellectual Co-operation of the League of Nations will be borne in mind; and whether the new council will keep in contact with the National Committee of the League body now existing in this country?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Sir John Simon)The British Council for Relations with Other Countries is being established to promote abroad a wider knowledge of the English language, of English literature, art, music, science, education, institutions and other aspects of our national life. It will endeavour to undertake this work on a wider scale than has been possible hitherto and will seek to encourage and co-ordinate the activities of existing societies. It is proposed to ask for 973 a grant of £6,000 from public funds for the financial year 1935–6. I understand that the council is already in contact with the National Committee of the Institute of Intellectual Co-operation of the League of Nations, and that in so far as the activities of these two bodies coincide, friendly collaboration will be maintained.