§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is the function of Wilton Park.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Young)Wilton Park aims to bring people together from different countries and different walks of life to exchange views on subjects of international concern, to build friendship and remove misunderstandings. Wilton Park is free to choose its own subjects for discussion and to invite the speakers and participants it wishes. Academic independence and integrity are guaranteed by an International Advisory Council of the OECD Ambassadors and High Commissioners in London, and by an Academic Council of distinguished Britons. Wilton Park is largely financed by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, though it also raises its own funds from conferences. All discussion is off-the-record. Wilton Park conferences are sometimes co-sponsored by other institutions in Britain or abroad, and grants and donations are accepted for specific purposes from foundations and business.