§ Q16. Mr. Spearingasked the Prime Minister if he will make a statement concerning the change in status of the Ministry of Overseas Development.
§ The Prime MinisterAs I said in my written reply on 20th June to the hon. Member for West Stirlingshire (Mr. Canavan), the separate Ministry of Overseas Development will remain in being. I had envisaged that a transfer of functions order would be made in connection with the related ministerial functions; but I have now concluded that an alternative and simpler course will be for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs to continue to exercise overall responsibility for these functions as Minister of Overseas Development. This arrangement will not affect the position of my right hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Prentice) as described in my earlier reply.