asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they funded the reception to launch “China UK connections through culture”; who compiled the invitation list; on what basis; and whether they will place the list of those invited and those who attended in the Library of the House.[HL7205]

Connections through Culture is a new UK-China cultural initiative, co-funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, the British Council and the Scottish Executive. It aims to enhance cultural co-operation between the UK and China with a view to improving overall relations, through a series of networking events and exchanges of personnel attached to cultural institutions. The departments involved in the initiative drew up the guest list for the launch event on 20 July from their existing contacts, to include those with an interest in culture and China. A list of invitees and attendees will be placed for reference in the Library of the House, and I will arrange for officials to send a copy of this list to the noble Lord.