§ Mr. Nicholas WintertonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the total value of funding for English language training in eastern Europe which has been dispensed by Her Majesty's Government to the British Council; what proportion of these resources has been used to finance facilities of services directly managed by the British Council; and what proportion has been put out for competitive tender to other private sector commercial firms or suppliers in the years 1991–92, 1992–93, 1993–94 and 1994–95. [35623]
§ Mr. HanleyThe council's grant-in-aid from the FCO was enhanced from 1991–92 to support a co-ordinated strategy to promote English teaching and learning in central and eastern Europe. The total operational funding over the period 1991–92 to 1993–94 was £12.2 million. Funding was at a similar level in 1994–95 but detailed figures are not yet available. This initiative supports 43 resource centres, maintains 120 specialist posts in 98 key ministries, reaches 37,000 teachers of English, and supports 400 senior English language professionals.
The council has additionally managed know-how fund projects to a total value of £700,000 over the period and administered English language teaching for the armed forces of 13 countries on behalf of the ECU to a value of £350,000.
Forty per cent. of total expenditure in 1991–92 to 1993–94 consisted of the appointment on contract of freelance ELT specialists.
Activity worth £3.17 million was subcontracted through open tendering. The council estimate that up to 85 per cent. of all grant-in-aid expenditure was devoted to the procurement of British goods and services, particularly books, training and freelance support.