Public bodies which work with the FCO

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.

British Council  

The British Council 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 our 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:

• take stock of British property losses abroad arising from the actions of foreign Governments
• 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.
• research and advisory function.

The FCC publishes its own annual reports.

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

Great Britain-China Centre  

The Great Britain-China Centre 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 Westminster 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.