We work with a number of public organisations known as non-departmental public bodies such as the British Council, and the Westminster Foundation for Democracy.  Below are details and links.

British Council  

The British Council [opens a new website] is the UK’s international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities and building lasting relationships between the UK and other countries. It is an integral part of the FCO's overall diplomatic effort.

Foreign Compensation Commission (FCC)

The Foreign Compensation Commission is a tribunal which assesses the amount of compensation British claimants are entitled to under international and British law for losses suffered abroad. It is associated with the FCO and has three principal tasks.

The first is to take stock of British property losses abroad arising from the actions of foreign Governments. Second, once compensation has been secured through diplomatic or other means, the FCC may be asked to work out how much compensation claimants might be due. Third, it also performs a research and advisory function.

The FCC - which publishes its own annual reports - is also undergoing a modernisation programme.

You can contact them at:
Foreign Compensation Commission
Old Admiralty Building
London SW1A 2PA

Government Hospitality Advisory Committee for the Purchase of Wine

This committee is responsible for providing advice on the appropriate standards of wines for use at government functions.

You can contact them at:
Head of Government Hospitality
Lancaster House
St James's
London SW1A 1BB

Great Britain-China Centre  

The Great Britain-China Centre  [opens a new website] works to foster and develop relations between the UK and the People’s Republic of China and to promote mutual knowledge and understanding. It develops and manages a bilateral exchange programme and supports those who share a commitment to developing closer contacts between the peoples of Britain and China.

Marshall Aid Commemoration Commission  

This Commission administers the British Marshall Scholarships on behalf of the FCO. They are awarded to US scholars and are funded by the FCO and are an expression of gratitude for the assistance provided by the US under the Marshall Plan put into place in Europe after World War II. The Commission places the scholars at UK universities and supervises their welfare.

Westminster Foundation for Democracy  

The Foundation funds projects around the world which are aimed at building and strengthening pluralist democracies. It was established by the FCO in 1992, but sets its own priorities and chooses its own projects.

Wilton Park Academic Council  

Wilton Park [opens a new website], an FCO executive agency, was established in 1946 as part of an initiative by Winston Churchill to help re-establish peace and democracy in Europe. It aims to contribute to the solution of global problems by organising conferences on key international issues and policies for a wide range of nationalities and professions. The Academic Council was established in 1949 to ensure Wilton Park's academic independence.

Diplomatic Service Appeal Board

The Diplomatic Service Appeal Board’s remit is to advise the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether premature retirement or termination of an FCO appointment, on grounds of failed probation or dismissal on any grounds, is fair.

Public Bodies Directory 2007

The Public Bodies Directory 2007 (pdf) contains information and statistics on all the public bodies sponsored by the FCO.