§ Mrs. GillanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what is the projected funding from her Department to the British Council for the financial year(a) 1999–2000, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 2001–02. [106341]
§ Clare ShortThe resources set aside by my Department for the Grant-in-aid to the British Council (£30 million 1998–99, £31 million in 1999–2000, £32 million in 2000–01 and £33 million in 2001–02) have been transferred to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. My Department therefore no longer provides core funding for the British Council.
The British Council continues to be a key provider of services, on a commercial basis, to implement my Department's programmes.