Aims

We hold regular briefing meetings in Parliament with guest speakers from the UK and abroad.

We also co-ordinate debates in parliament on topical issues raised by our programmes and we provide evidence to relevant parliamentary select committees.

We work to encourage parliamentarians to become British Council Ambassadors (‘champions’) for the UK in Parliament and abroad.  We increase exposure to the British Council’s work abroad by encouraging parliamentarians to take part in British Council projects, for example, governance and shadowing projects.

Where appropriate, we ensure that we keep MPs and Peers informed of parliamentary business concerning the work of the British Council.

The Foreign Affairs Committee

On 4 November 2009 Martin Davidson, Chief Executive, Gerard Lemos, Acting Chair and Sue Beaumont, Regional Director Near East and North Africa, were called before the parliamentary Foreign Affairs Committee to give evidence on British Council activity in 2008/09 as part of the Committee’s annual inquiry into the FCO’s Departmental Annual Report.

You can watch the session here: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=5056 

The Foreign Affairs Committee is a parliamentary select committee composed of fourteen Members of Parliament, drawn from the three largest political parties. The House of Commons has entrusted this group of MPs with the task of monitoring the policy, administration and expenditure of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) and its associated public bodies, including the British Council and the BBC World Service. 

More information on the committee can be found here: http://www.parliament.uk/facom/