§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify the major improvements in techniques for appraising projects, so as to take account of social, environmental and planning aspects, recently introduced to ensure that aid projects do result in increased benefit to the poorest people in recipient countries.
§ Mr. RaisonAll staff in the ODA are required to take account of economic, social, environmental and other factors when appraising projects and this is reflected in project documentation prior to approval. As projects vary so much in type and size there is no single formula for project appraisal but guidance was issued within the ODA, about two years ago, on the range of social, environmental and physical planning (land use) issues that should be addressed when appraising projects, and how to obtain specialist advice in these areas, either from the ODA's in-house advisers or from outside the ODA. Our project evaluation programme, which has expanded considerably, is providing valuable lessons, for example on the social aspects of projects, which are being fed back to those working on new projects. Various sector manuals are being prepared to assist with project preparation and appraisal.