§ Mr. Brothertonasked the Minister of Overseas Development for what purposes her Department is making available a grant of £71,035 to the Intermediate Technology Development Group what was the sum made available in 1976–77 and what steps are taken to monitor its expenditure.
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§ Mrs. HartThe purpose of the grant was to finance the industrial liaison unit of the intermediate technology development group. This body acts as a point of contact for inquiries from developing countries seeking information on labour-intensive technologies. The sum made available in 1976–77 was £32,332.
Following the recommendation of a working party of ODM officials—published as Overseas Development Paper No. 8—it has now been decided to increase the grant to ITDG to £205,000 to enable its activities to be expanded.
Expenditure by the industrial liaison unit has been monitored by a steering committee largely composed of ODM officials, but with representation of ODM Scientific Units, the United Kingdom consulting industry, and United Kingdom universities. In addition, there are frequent informal contacts between ITDG and ODM officials. The increased grant will also be monitored by a steering committee.