Written question asked by Michael Trend (Conservative) on Monday, 18 December 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 10 January 2001. It was answered by Lord Hain (Labour) on Wednesday, 10 January 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his Answer of 15th December, 359 c298W, on Belarus, what criteria the British Council uses to assess the importance of countries to the UK.

Answer: Mr. Trend: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 15 December 2000, Official Report, column 298W, on Belarus, what criteria the British Council uses to assess the importance of countries to the UK. [143838] Mr. Hain: The British Council's geographical priorities are based on an assessment of a country's importance to the United Kingdom--in political, commercial and historical terms--and of the Council's ability to achieve long-term influence and impact for the United Kingdom. The criteria for assessing the Council's ability to achieve impact include the need to change perceptions of the United Kingdom, the demand for Council services and receptivity to Council programmes, the accessibility of the Council's target audiences and the availability of other mechanisms for influencing perceptions of the United Kingdom.

Secondary information