HC Deb 14 November 1939 vol 353 c548W
Mr. Lyons

asked the Prime Minister whether he will state the amount of public money granted to the British Council in each of the past three financial years, respectively; what sum it is proposed to grant during the current financial year; and whether he is satisfied that the expenditure of the council is under effective supervision and control?

Mr. Butler

The grants were £15,000 during the financial year 1936–37, £60,000 in 1937–38 and £130,500 in 1938–39. £380,000 has been allocated for the financial year 1939–40. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.

Mr. Lyons

asked the Prime Minister when and by what person or body the executive of the British Council was appointed; and, in view of the fact that the council has not met since 1936, what, if any, relationship exists between the council and the executive?

Mr. Butler

The executive committee of the British Council was appointed on 12th February, 1935. The body responsible for the appointment was the "British Committee for Improving Cultural Relations with Other Countries," as the British Council was originally called.

There is close contact between the executive committee and members of the council either by direct approach or through the advisory committees on which a large majority of them work.