§ Mr. Kitsonasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware of the official proposal that a British Institute of Persian Studies should be set up in Teheran; and whether he will increase the annual grant to the British Academy to enable them to finance the running costs of the institute.
§ Sir E. BoyleYes. Her Majesty's Government were pleased to learn of this project, which is being launched at the invitation of the Iranian Government. The Institute, which will follow the general model of the British Institutes at Ankara and elsewhere, will be concerned with the history, art and archaeology of Iran and, it is hoped, with the study of Persian culture in the widest sense. The University of Teheran is generously providing free accommodation. Running costs are estimated at £8,000 a year, and my right hon. and learned Friend has agreed, subject to the approval of Parliament, that the British Academy's grant for 1961–62 should be increased by the same amount to enable them to assume this new commitment. A Supplementary Estimate will be laid before Parliament as soon as possible.