§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many of her Department's contracts has the British Council applied for since 1 May 1997; and in each case who was successful in securing the contract. [105734]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe exact number of our Department's contracts for which the British Council have bid is not readily available and could only be secured at disproportionate cost. Since 1 May 1997 the British Council have been awarded 28 contracts after a competition with other bidders.
§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on her policy towards the British Council. [105739]
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§ Mr. FoulkesThe British Council is a key provider of services to the UK's effort to eliminate poverty and promote sustainable development. Our Department recognises its many strengths and breadth of experience and, as with other major suppliers, works through its commercial relationship with the Council to secure value for money.
§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development on what date the responsibility for the British Council reverted to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. [105733]
§ Mr. FoulkesThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) assumed full responsibility for the British Council from the start of the financial year 1998–99. From this point, the resources previously set aside in the Department for International Development's (DFID) budget for the Council's Grant-in-aid (£30 million in 1989–99) were transferred to FCO.
§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development how many contracts her Department has awarded to the British Council since 1 May 1997. [105735]
§ Mr. FoulkesSince 1 May 1997 our Department has awarded 131 contracts to the British Council.