§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster how much Her Majesty's Government at present contribute to the Council of Europe for European cultural co-operation; and, in the light of recommendation 850 of the Parliamentary Assembly and the reply of the Committee of Ministers, by what extent they would be prepared to increase their contribution for this purpose.
§ Sir Ian GilmourI have been asked to reply.
According to the statute of the cultural fund, the grant-in-aid, payable from the general budget of the Council of Europe, is shared among the member States on the basis of the same percentage as their contribution to the budget. Thus the United Kingdom contributes 16–69 per cent. (869,882–80 FFrs in 1980) of the total cost of the cultural fund. In addition, the United Kingdom offers a number of bursaries under the teachers bursary scheme of the Council for Cultural Cooperation.
484WIn view of the division of the costs, there is no question of Her Majesty's Government increasing their own percentage contribution to the fund.