HC Deb 19 January 1981 vol 997 cc19-20
52. Mr. Spearing

asked the Lord Privy Seal what the most recent studies of the rural development section of the Overseas Development Administration have been.

Mr. Neil Marten

Three papers for the world conference on agrarian reform and rural development in 1979, and a paper for the Commonwealth Secretariat in November last.

Mr. Spearing

I thank the Minister for that reply. I am sorry that he did not mention the topics of the papers. Can he assure the House that this unit will examine specific examples, rather than generalities?

Mr. Marten

I think that it will examine specific examples, because each country section has now taken the whole concept of rural development on board and a separate administrative unit is no longer necessary. It is widespread throughout the ODA.

Mr. Guy Barnett

Are the studies to be published?

Mr. Marten

The three papers for the world conference on agrarian reform and rural development have been published. I assume that the Commonwealth Secretariat paper has also been published.