§ Baroness Davidasked Her Majesty's Government:
When the annual report of the Britain-Russia Centre and British East-West Centre will be available.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanCopies of the Centres' annual report for 1996–97 have been placed in the Libraries of the House. The centres received a grant-in-aid from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of £237,000 to support their activities in 1996–97. In144WA addition the centres secured funding in 1996–97 of £237,227 for direct expenditure on projects. Their priority areas for assistance have been Russia, Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The centres continue to make a valuable contribution to the strengthening of bilateral relations. Activities have included seminars and workshops; administering the British observer mission to the Russian presidential elections; work with the media in the republics of the Caucasus, and senior level visits from Georgia, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.