APPENDIX 1
FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH OFFICE UPDATE
TO FOREIGN AFFAIRS COMMITTEE REPORTS
FIFTH REPORT (1999): FOREIGN AND COMMONWEALTH
OFFICE RESOURCES
Recommendation 2
The Committee welcomes the FCO's efforts
to reduce the number of layers in its management hierarchy, and
the Foreign Secretary's willingness to allow for direct access
from the bottom to the top. (Paragraph 8)
What progress has been made on development of
more informal working methods?
68. A major information and communications
technology investment programme is nearing completion. This is
aimed at transforming the FCO into a single, global on-line organisation.
It will bring Ministers into more direct contact with staff and
will work across traditional hierarchies, for example facilitating
creation of "virtual teams". In parallel, the FCO has
been at the forefront of work on "Modernising Government",
completing its largest ever staff consultation exercise (for more
detail, see the 2000 Departmental Report).
Recommendation 4
We recommend that the FCO make a full examination
of the problems created for the spouses of FCO staff and reports
further to the Committee on its findings and planned action. (Paragraph
14)
What progress has been made to improve the
situation of spouses?
69. Since the Department reported to the
Committee it has been decided to increase the Spouse Compensation
Scheme funding by £0.5 million. From April 2001, the full
rate payable in respect of eligible spouses will be approximately
£2,300 per annum.
70. As part of the Department's continuing
efforts to increase employment opportunities for spouses, it is
examining with the Diplomatic Service Families Association the
possibility of subscribing, on the Association's behalf, to an
internet-based international employment exchange.
Recommendation 9
We recommend that the FCO should make its
travel advice available by telephone 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. Travel advice leaflets should be distributed more widely,
and should be available in travel agencies. The FCO should encourage
travel web-sites, which are increasingly used to book holidays
and flights, to provide links to its travel advice site. (Paragraph
23)
What developments have taken place on matters
raised in paragraph 13 of response?
71. We are procuring an interactive voice
recognition system for the Travel Advice Unit which will allow
the public to access Travel Advice 24 hours a day, seven days
a week. We will bid to the Capital Modernisation Fund for a new
round the clock Call Centre. We have improved the layout of our
Travel Advice and, through better liaison with the travel industry,
have increased its availability to the travelling public. Most
travel web-sites now have links to the FCO Travel Advice web-site.
Press articles on travel regularly refer readers to our web-site.
Recommendation 12
We recommend that, as the sponsoring Government
Department, the FCO should ensure that the shift to subscription
charges does not result in a decline in resources to BBC World
Service Monitoring. (Paragraph 31)
What progress has been made in the review of
the 1997 arrangements?
72. The review of funding arrangements for
BBC World Service Monitoring is still under way.
Recommendation 13
We recommend that, as the sponsoring Government
Department, the FCO should ensure that the shift to subscription
charges does not result in a decline in resources to BBC World
Service Monitoring. (Paragraph 37)
What progress has been made on the range of
options for new money for expanded activities?
73. We have initiated a review of the FCO's
contribution to the Commonwealth Scholarships and Fellowships
Plans to maximise the benefit the scheme brings to the UK and
Commonwealth. We are working with the Commonwealth Secretariat
and the Association of Commonwealth Universities to increase other
Commonwealth countries' contributions to this Plan. We, and the
British Council, will continue to strengthen and stimulate Commonwealth
ties and links with developing countries. Manchester 2002's "Spirit
of Friendship Festival" will in the run-up to the Commonwealth
Games help us raise the Commonwealth's profile in the UK, especially
among young people and provide opportunities to establish new
links.
74. The FCO will play its part in implementing
the recommendations of the White Paper on Science and Innovation,
including by helping to strengthen links between the scientific
community in the UK and abroad.
Recommendation 14
We recommend that the FCO carry out a study
into the level of direct and indirect financial support being
given by the French and German governments to organisations in
those countries performing roles similar to those of the British
Council, and reports its findings to Parliament. (Paragraph 41)
When will the study be available?
75. The study on the level of direct and
indirect support given by the French and German governments to
British Council-like organisations was submitted to the Committee
on 26 October.
Recommendation 18
As a permanent member of the Security Council,
we conclude that Britain should be investing at least as much
in its overseas representation as France and Germany. (Paragraph
49)
What progress has been made following the CSR?
76. The Spending Review 2000 Settlement
represented a very good outcome for the FCO: the target budgeted
real terms increase in provision for 10 years. The creation of
the joint Conflict Prevention Funds will also place significant
extra resources at the disposal of the Foreign Secretary and his
colleagues in DfID, MoD and HM Treasury. The extra resources,
together with the welcome new flexibility represented by the joint
Funds, will enable the FCO to deliver even greater outputs. See
also the FCO response to the FAC Fifth Report on FCO and BTI resources,
laid before Parliament on 7 November.
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