§ Mr. Ben ChapmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the work of the British Council. [58094]
§ Mr. FatchettThe British Council plays a practical and very effective role in enhancing Britain's image and prestige abroad and in promoting fruitful partnerships in a wide field of activities. The scope of its work is impressive and encompasses not only cultural matters but such important areas as student recruitment and the promotion of British goods and services in education and training and the creative industries. Without the practical support the British Council provides, a number of the Government's foreign policy objectives would be more difficult to achieve.