HC Deb 25 July 1979 vol 971 cc256-7W
69. Mr. Biggs-Davison

asked the Lord Privy Seal what support the Catholic institute for internatinal relations now receives from public funds; and whether, having regard to the partisan tenor of its publications, he will end support of that part of its work and review the rest.

Mr. Marten

Up to £144,000 this financial year was committed by the previous Administration towards the cost of sending and maintaining British volunteers abroad, and up to £8,000 for part of the cost of a development education programme. This includes £1,000 towards publications, but these are intended to provide informed discussion and may not be designed to campaign against either our own or any foreign Government. The previous Administration gave an account able grant of £10,000 in October 1977 to finance a series of sectoral studies on the then Rhodesia's economy and administration, but our involvement in this project is now concluded.

I am satisfied with the regular arrangements for reviewing the progress of both the volunteer programme and the institute's development education work.

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