To ask Her Majesty’s Government what contracts have been awarded by the Department for International Development to the Caribbean Council; for what services; and for what cost.

DFID has issued 3 contracts to the Caribbean Council in recent years, funded through DFID Caribbean. The Council works to foster trade, investment and development in the Caribbean and promotes the region's interests internationally. The contracts were as follows:

1) Contract for “Developing Effective Social Partnerships – Jamaica Study and Lecture Tour” (2008-09). The assignment included research and analysis, a lecture tour, public dialogue and media awareness work. The contract sum was £40,000.2) Contract for “Gender and Entrepreneurship Proposal for Strategic Fund” (2009-10). The assignment included the development of a database of women entrepreneurs in the Caribbean, research, analysis and recommendations. The contract sum was £10,825.

3) Contract for “Exploratory work on Developing Effective Social Partnerships in St. Lucia” (2010). The assignment included scoping discussions and research. The contract sum was £7,900.