§ Mr. MacleanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what(a) reviews, (b) task forces and (c) advisory groups have been established by her Department since 1 May 1997; what costs they have incurred to date; and what reports they have published. [71516]
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§ Clare Short[holding answer 16 February 1999]Since 1 May 1997 the Department for International Development (DFID) has undertaken a review of international development policy, and a review of DFID' s relationship with Civil Society. The review of international development policy led to the publication of the White Paper on International Development in November 1997. A report of the consultation which DFID conducted with Civil Society, North and South, will be published shortly. Key conclusions were set out in my speech on `NGOs in a Global Future' on 13 January at Birmingham University. The costs incurred for these reviews are not separately identified, add little to the normal running costs of the department and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
The Department has also set up the Development Awareness Working Group. Expenditure of this advisory group is, to date, £10,500. Preparatory documents, minutes of the meetings, and a report commissioned on "Learning from Others" are all available on the DFID website.
No task forces have been established.