Non-departmental Public Bodies Mr. Hurd To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs which non-departmental public bodies are sponsored by her Department; what the function is of each body; and what the annual budget of each body was in the most recent year for which figures are available. Mr. Hoon 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.