HC Deb 18 June 1965 vol 714 cc121-2W
Mr. R. Carr

asked the Secretary of State for Commonwealth Relations what functions in connection with aid for the developing countries have been transferred from his Department to the Ministry of Overseas Development; and what reductions have been made in the establishment of his Department as the result of such transfer.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

The functions are those relating to British financial aid to independent Commonwealth countries, including the size and nature of the programme for each country, and the terms and conditions and the management of capital aid, as well as the work previously performed by my Department in respect of the Commonwealth Development Corporation. In these matters the Commonwealth Relations Office and the Ministry of Overseas Development work in close consultation.

As a result, the staff establishment of the Commonwealth Relations Office has been reduced by 23.