§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how much was spent by the British Council in investment in infrastructure and information technology for each of the last 10 years; and if he will make a statement. [66235]
§ Mr. FatchettOwing to a change by the British Council accruals accounting in April 1995, the information on investment is available on a consistent basis only for the three-year period from 1995–96 to 1997–98. In each of these years, the British Council's average gross investment in its built estate and in information technology was £12 million. The equivalent figure for the present financial year is £11.3 million while, as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review, the average for each of the next three years will be £15 million.
§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on British Council work, funded by his Department, to support civil society, human rights and democracy in East and West Africa. [66218]
§ Mr. FatchettThe British Council is well placed to promote human rights and good governance because of its unique status and long experience in these fields. In the case of East and West Africa, the British Council manages projects to the value of more than £300,000 under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office's Human Rights Project Fund. These include anti-corruption campaigns, management training for NGO staff, improving judicial systems, networking between human rights groups, women's rights, and programmes to support democracy. 505W In addition, projects in these fields are funded from the grant-in-aid which the Foreign and Commonwealth Office gives to the British Council