(Minister of State for Foreign
and Commonwealth Affairs): I am announcing today
the start of a Tailored Review of the Great Britain China Centre
(GBCC). The GBCC is a Non Departmental Public Body of the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO). Its principal activity is to
encourage mutual knowledge and understanding through the
promotion of closer cultural, professional, economic,
educational, legal, judicial and other contacts between Britain
and China.
As a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) sponsored by the FCO,
the GBCC is required to undergo a Tailored Review at least once
in every parliament. The principle aims of Tailored Reviews are
to ensure public bodies remain fit for purpose, are well governed
and are properly accountable for what they do.
The Review will provide a robust scrutiny of and assurance on the
continuing need for the GBCC – both its function and its form. If
the review finds the GBCC should be retained in its current form
and status, the review will then consider GBCC’s capacity for
delivering on its core mandate more effectively and efficiently.
It will also assess the control and governance arrangements that
are in place to ensure that GBCC and the FCO are complying with
recognised principles of good corporate governance.
The review will follow guidance published in 2016 by the Cabinet
Office: ‘Tailored Reviews: guidance on reviews of public bodies’.
The Terms of Reference for the review can be found on gov.uk.
In conducting the Tailored Review, officials will engage with a
broad range of stakeholders across the UK and overseas, including
staff, management and the Board of the GBCC. These consultations
will include participating and sponsor organisations of GBCC
projects and events and partners from across UK Government,
foreign governments, academics and civil society.
Both Houses will be informed of the outcome of the review when it
is completed and copies of the report of the review will be
placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
