§ 83. Mr. MansTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what has been achieved through the work of the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute.
§ Mrs. ChalkerI am glad to have this opportunity to pay tribute to the Natural Resources Institute's role in the aid programme. It possesses a wealth of scientific expertise, developed over almost 100 years; and has done celebrated work across the developing world in land resource assessment, insect pest management, and food science and crop utilisation.
§ Mr. Gerald BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made with plans for the Overseas Development Natural Resources Institute to become an executive agency.
§ Mrs. ChalkerAs foreshadowed in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Salisbury (Mr. Key) on 19 December 1989, at column121, the institute has been established as an executive agency under the Government's "next steps" initiative with effect from 1 April. The institute's aims, objectives and operating principles as an agency are set out in a framework document, copies of which have been deposited in the Libraries of both Houses. In accordance with "next steps" principles, the institute will be free to propose further adaptation if changing circumstances make this appropriate.
The institute's performance will be judged principally in terms of its ability to satisfy customers while covering its full economic costs. I have set NRI the target of improving its efficiency, as measured by unit costs, by 5.5 per cent. in the three years 1990–91 to 1992–93. Over the same period the institute plans to increase the volume of business it undertakes.
The institute's name will he the Natural Resources Institute or NRI.