§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of the loss of Department for International Development contract work to the British Council on his Department's operations in developing countries. [90634]
§ Mr. HoonThe British Council continues to manage most existing DFID contracts. The lack of new contracts for which to bid will have a progressive effect on the British Council's operation in developing countries over the next few years. The FCO will be working with the British Council and DFID to achieve the most effective co-operation possible in their work in developing countries.