HC Deb 28 February 1966 vol 725 c889
25. Mr. Sharpies

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will make a statement about the future of the British Council.

Mr. George Thomson

Her Majesty's Government attach great importance to the work of the British Council and will continue to give it their support. As regards the financial arrangements, the hon. Member will have seen the written reply I gave on 7th December, 1965, to my hon. Friend the Member for Dunbartonshire, East (Mr. Bence). The arrangements there described explain the new allocation of financial responsibility for the British Council but do not affect my Department's responsibility for the Council's grant-in-aid.