The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is responsible for the following non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs):
British Council
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
Great Britain-China Centre
British Association for Central and Eastern Europe
Diplomatic Service Appeals Board
Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine
Wilton Park Academic Council
Foreign Compensation Commission
Details of the remit, Government funding and gross expenditure of public bodies sponsored by the FCO can be found in the Cabinet Office publication ‘Public Bodies 2006’, copies of which are available in the Library of the House and which can also be found on the following website:
http://www.civilservice.gov.uk/other/agencies/publications/pdf/public-bodies/public-bodies2006.pdf
The function and budget of each body for the financial year 2006-07 is as follows:
Executive NDPBs
Established in statute and carrying out administrative, regulatory and commercial functions, they employ their own staff and are allocated their own budgets.
British Association for Central and Eastern Europe
The Association promotes better understanding between Britain and the countries of Eastern Europe through a programme of exchanges, conferences, seminars and training workshops.
Budget £167,000
British Council
The British Council connects people worldwide with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK and builds lasting relationships between the UK and other countries. It operates in 109 countries and achieves its objective through the teaching of English and administering of UK examinations; the promotion of British education and training; knowledge and information, the arts, science, sports and governance.
Budget £179,503,000
Great Britain-China Centre
To promote closer economic professional, cultural and academic relations between Britain and China; and to encourage mutual knowledge and understanding.
Budget £300,000
Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission
The Marshall Aid Commission has responsibility for the Marshall Scholarships.
Budget £2,100,000
Westminster Foundation for Democracy
To assist the development of pluralistic democratic institutions overseas. Priority regions are Central/Eastern Europe, the former Soviet Union and Anglophone Africa.
Budget £4,100,000
Other Bodies funded from within the FCO’s resources:
Advisory NDPBs
Provide independent and expert advice to Ministers on particular topics of interest. Staff from their sponsoring department supports NDPBs. They do not have their own budget, as costs incurred come within the department's expenditure.
Diplomatic Service Appeal Board
To advise the Foreign Secretary whether premature retirement, or termination of an appointment on grounds of failed probation, or on dismissal is fair.
The Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine
To advise on the purchasing of wine for Government hospitality.
Wilton Park Academic Council
The Council aims to ensure that Wilton Park Agency retains its full academic independence.
Tribunal NDPBs
Have jurisdiction in a specialised field of law. They are supported by staff from their sponsoring department and do not have their own budgets.
Foreign Compensation Commission
The Commission deals with ongoing queries from foreign governments and the public about previous claims, The Commission is also engaged in upgrading information and management systems to make records more readily accessible and to comply with all relevant legislation.