§ Mr. HawkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what her policy is on the need for her Department's officials in-country to have equivalent decision-making powers and be at the equivalent decision-making level as military and diplomatic counterparts. [25411]
§ Hilary BennThe heads of department for International Development offices overseas have substantial delegated authority. In some cases this may exceed that of their diplomatic and military counterparts. These posts are graded using standard job evaluation, relying on job weight analysis. It would not be possible or appropriate to apply any general policy based on equivalence of authority, the nature and comparability of which vary greatly from post to post.