§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the land resources development centre is being reduced from a staff of 99 to 40; what is the total annual saving involved; if any of the work involving rural poverty is to be transferred to other sections of his administration; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Neil MartenThe decision to reduce staff of the land resources development centre has been taken because the private sector in the United Kingdom has the capacity to do much of the rural development work undertaken by the centre. It is envisaged, therefore, that more of this aid work will in future be done by private organisations. Total savings will be known when the working party which I have set up to advise on final numbers reports at the end of June.