§ 9. Sir Geoffrey Johnson SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what priority her Department gives to the activities of the British Council. [51328]
§ Clare ShortWe have concluded that it would be more efficient for the British Council to be responsible to a single department. The FCO will, therefore, assume responsibility for the British Council and the resources previously set aside in DFID' s budget for the Council's grant in aid will transfer to the FCO. We have agreed that at the least the transferred element of the grant in aid must continue to benefit poorer countries and will therefore qualify as official development assistance.