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Dept for International Development

Answer

Angus Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what channels are available for the exchange of (a) technical and (b) logistical expertise between his Department and UK non- governmental organisations active in the field of international development; what fora his Department has (i) initiated, (ii) funded and (iii) run for such purposes since 1997; and if he will make a statement. [224576] Hilary Benn: DFID consults extensively with NGOs on both policy and technical issues. We do this through a variety of channels including ministerial and official meetings with the British Overseas Aid Group (BOAG), British Overseas NGOs for Development network (BOND), regional visits and bilateral meetings. DFID endeavours to carry out public consultations as recommended in the Code of Practice on Consultations published by the Cabinet Office in January 2004. When consulting NGOs, this guidance is used in conjunction with the `Compact' between the government and the voluntary and community sector which includes a specific code of good practice on `Consultation and Policy Appraisal'. DFID has funded the British Overseas NGOs for Development network (BOND) since 1993 when it was established as a membership organisation. It now represents over 280 international development NGOs Since 1997, there has been a great deal of consultation through a variety of ad hoc fora but no central record is held.. This information could be obtained only by incurring a disproportionate cost.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

432 c1207W; 224576

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Development aid Advisory services Department for International Development Public participation Technology Non-governmental organisations Logistics

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk