Lord Chelwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they have taken to reinforce liaison between the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the British Council as promised in Cmd. 231 in October 1987, why this was thought necessary and whether they expect it to lead to more account being taken of the views of the Council and of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)As our response (Cmd. 231) to the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee's Report on cultural diplomacy makes clear, liaison betwen the FCO and the British Council at many levels, both in this country and abroad, is close. We are already reinforcing this as procedures for reviewing global priorities and resource allocations are refined, within the FCO and the British Council, and will continue to take account of their views, and those of others who contribute in this field. Our response also makes clear that we welcome the contribution made by the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee.