§ Viscount Waverleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What has been the percentage decline in real terms of the grant to the British Council in Italy since 1993. [HL812]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalBetween 1993–94 and 1998–99 the grant-in-aid to the British Council declined by 13.62 per cent in real terms. However, in the current CSR period, starting this financial year, the council is receiving an uplift (in real terms) of some 2 per cent over the 1998–99 figure in line with the FCO settlement. The British Council determines how it spends the grant-in-aid allocated to it by the FCO. The allocation by the council for Italy over this period has declined by 55 per cent—a reduction resulting from the redirection of resources to other areas, mainly East Asia and Pacific, the expansion of various human rights and governance programmes and the development of IT infrastructure.
§ Viscount Waverleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What they consider to have been the main achievements of the British Council in Italy since 1993. [HL813]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalSince 1993 the British Council has organised seminars for senior civil servants addressing public sector reform, including tertiary education. It has also held a series of international conferences, including the annual bilateral Pontignano conference, for senior public figures.
The council has introduced new performers and artists to Italy and exhibits regularly at the Venice Biennale.
The council opened a new Teaching Centre in Turin in 1998; since 1997 it has worked with the Italian Government to improve English teaching in schools.
§ Viscount Waverleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What were the results of the annual post questionnaires in relation to the work of the British Council in Italy since 1993. [HL814]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe readily available post questionnaires rate the council as making an important contribution to post objectives in 1995–96 to 1997–98 and an essential contribution in 1998–99.
§ Viscount Waverleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What plans they have for the future funding and development of the work of the British Council in Italy. [HL815]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe future funding and development of the British Council in Italy will depend on the results of the current Spending Review.
96WAThe council plans to continue to engage influential Italians on issues of mutual interest through conferences, etc; to work closely with the Italian Government on teacher training and to encourage the use of British examinations and other services; and to hold a Rome Autumn 2000 festival of dance, literature, music and theatre, to showcase contemporary, multicultural British arts.