§ Mr. Charles Irvingasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what grants have been paid to the British Council in each year since 1972–73; and what is the forecast expenditure for each of the next five years.
§ Mr. OnslowThe following grants have been made to the British Council from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office Votes:
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Diplomatic Wing Grant-in-aid ODA Grant £ £ 1972–73 11,195,000 5,494,000 1973–74 11,520,000 *6,219,328 1974–75 15,004,000 *8,053,964 1975–76 18,596,000 *10,772,135 1976–77 20,263,000 *11,539,107 1977–78 20,927,000 *13,551,594 1978–79 25,696,000 *15,151,357 1979–80 28,924,000 *17,223,119 1980–81 31,497,000 18,065,511 1981–82 34,116,921 23,466,796 * As the Ministry of Overseas Development March 1974-May 1979. For 1982–83, the estimated provisions up to and including the Winter supplementary are £38,360,000—Diplomatic Wing—and £23,031,000—ODA.
It is not possible to provide figures for future years; but the 1983–84 Main Estimates are due to be presented to Parliament in March.