§ Mr. Couchmanasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has for the Overseas Development Administration's scientific units; and if he will make a statement.
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§ Mr. Chris PattenI have decided to integrate the Tropical Development and Research Institute (TDRI) and the Land Resource Development Centre (LRDC) with effect from 1 September 1987; and to assign to the director professional responsibility for members of the corps of specialists in certain natural resources disciplines. The combined organisation will be known as the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute (ODNRI) and will have the following mandate
To promote the sustainable development of the natural resources sector in developing countries through:
- —assessment of land and water resources;
- —pilot-scale development projects;
- —applied research in the fields of pest control andof crop and animal processing, storage and marketing;
- —assessment of the environmental consequences of development projects.
Efficiency savings achieved by rationalising the support services for the new organisation will provide scope for further resources to be allocated to scientific and operational programmes.
The relocation of the ODA's scientific staff to a single site, due to take place in 1988, will bring significant professional benefits. The changes I am announcing today are intended to build on this, and to strengthen the important contribution which the staff make to our aid effort in the natural resources sector.