HL Deb 23 March 1989 vol 505 cc886-7WA
The Earl of Stockton

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the funding provided by the Overseas Development Administration (ODA) for the provision of subsidised textbooks to the third world under the terms of the English Language Book Society (ELBS), static since 1983, must now take account of the scheme's administrative costs, a stipulation which has effectively cut the level of funding from £1.2 million to £1 million annually?

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My honourable friend the Minister for Overseas Development met representatives of the Publishers Association on 26th October 1988. He assured them that support for the scheme will continue but with modifications designed to ensure improved targeting and relevance. For 1989–90 the subsidy will remain at its present level of£1.2 million. In addition the ODA will continue to pay administrative costs at a level of approximately £125,000.