§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what proposals he now has to ensure that close attention is paid to the management of physical change in development by the Overseas Development Administration, mentioned in his reply to the right hon. Member for Clydesdale (Dame J. Hart) on 25 April, Official Report, c. 206;
(2) if he will take steps to minimise the loss of the provision of service, expertise and advice given to those involved in third world planning and development by the abolition of the post of physical planning adviser in the Overseas Development Administration.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Overseas Development Administration (ODA) is very conscious of the need to pay close attention to these important aspects of development. We are currently recruiting to one of our architectural advisory posts someone whose experience and qualifications are such that he can cover physical planning aspects in addition to purely architectural matters. In addition, the ODA will look to specialist outside sources to provide expertise whenever particular projects require this.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many professional advisers are employed in the Overseas Development Administration; and how many of these belong to the 303W disciplines or professions of (a) economists and statisicians, (b) medicine and health, (c) natural resources, (d) engineers, (e) architects and (f) planners.
§ Mr. RaisonThe total number of professional advisers in post in the Overseas Development Administration headquarters, including senior managers in professional disciplines, is 104. Of these the numbers in the categories quoted are:
Numbers (a) economists and statisticians 44 (b) medicine and health 6 (c) natural resources 25 (d) engineers 17 (e) architects 2 (f) planners 1
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he is satisfied with the methods of the Rayner scrutiny which looked into the efficiency and effectiveness of the post of physical planning adviser in the Overseas Development Administration.
§ Mr. RaisonYes.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will place in the Library a copy of the Rayner scrutiny of the post of physical planning adviser in the Overseas Development Administration together with any responses he may have received.
§ Mr. RaisonI have arranged for the conclusions of the relevant section of the Rayner scrutiny to be placed in the Library. I have received 19 letters, some from overseas, expressing concern about the decision on the post of physical planning adviser, which could not be published without the writers' consent.
§ Mr. Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he intends to respond to the fourth report from the Foreign Affairs Committee, session 1982–83, on the Overseas Development Administration scientific and special units, with particular reference to the conclusions summarised in paragraphs 102–117.
§ Mr. Guy Barnettasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to respond to the report of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Scientific Units.
§ Mr. RaisonThe Government's response will be published as a White Paper (Command 9003) at noon on Wednesday 27 July. Copies of the White Paper will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.