§ Mr. BowisTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to encourage cultural, scientific and academic exchanges between the United Kingdom and India.
§ Mrs. ChalkerCultural, scientific and academic exchanges with India are many. The British Council has four offices in India and is involved with FCO and ODA programmes as well as its own, which have recently included, on the arts side, a major Henry Moore exhibition. Scientific and academic links feature prominently in the council's work and are promoted through the ODA's bilateral technical co-operation programme, under which about £8 million per year is devoted to exchange of persons, consultancies, longer-term training in Britain and the supply of equipment in support of these links. Funds are being made available to increase the number of awards for Indians to study in Britain.