§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list the offices approved for closure by the board of the British Council as a result of the Council's new strategy. [143297]
200W
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The Council's new strategy involves updating its overseas network to ensure maximum impact in countries of greatest importance to the UK, and the expansion of new IT-based services, especially in western Europe. In line with this, the Council has announced the closure of subordinate offices in Hamburg, Cologne, Munich, Leipzig and Turin. The closure of the country directorates in Belarus, Ecuador, Lesotho and Swaziland, and the offices in Kaduna, Enugu and Ibadan in Nigeria have also been agreed. Further closures will be announced over the next five years after consultation with the relevant authorities in each country and the staff affected.
§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions his Department has had with the British Council concerning the closure of British Council offices in Sierra Leone. [143296]
§ Mr. Hain[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The British Council has discussed all its proposals for its overseas network with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The conclusions on Sierra Leone are noted in the answer I gave the hon. Member on 6 November 2000, Official Report, column 49W.