§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development for what reason the Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research Overseas is being disbanded as a non-departmental public body. [6530]
§ Clare ShortThe Advisory Committee on Economic and Social Research Overseas (ESCOR) was constituted in 1968 (administratively, and not by statute). It provides advice on research proposals submitted for funding to the Department for International Development. It came to be classified as a non-departmental public body (NDPB) in the early 1980s. However,
472Wthe Committee is only advisory and has no executive powers;members are not paid for their services;it is the only one of four DFID Research Committees so classified;half of its members are DFID officials.In June 1997 the Prime Minister made a statement in Parliament announcing that a review would be undertaken to reduce overall numbers of NDPBs. ESCOR is being de-classified as a NDPB in response to this and to bring it in line with other DFID Research Committees, which are not classified as NDPBs. It will be re-constituted on the same lines as those Committees.Membership of the reconstituted Committee will continue to be balanced between DFID officials and external academic experts. Membership will continue to be recorded with the Cabinet Office. Appointments will no longer be made directly by the Secretary of State. The Committee will continue to advise on the merits of proposals for economic and social research in development submitted to the Department.