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Establishment of the Ministry of Overseas Development

Harold Wilson’s government created the Ministry of Overseas Development with the aim of amalgamating aid efforts of various state departments including the Foreign Office. Wilson followed a similar foreign policy approach to his Conservative predecessors. An emphasis was placed on a peaceful transfer of power in Africa and desire to retain a link to former colonies and protectorates via membership to the Commonwealth and economic aid.

Barbara Castle, Minister of Overseas Development, made the following statement on the function of the new Ministry:

“In dealing with these matters the Ministry of Overseas Development will work in harmony with the policies of the Overseas Departments and other Departments concerned. The purpose of the new Ministry, in close co-operation with Overseas Departments, will be to help promote the progress of the developing countries, bearing in mind our special ties with Commonwealth countries, including the dependent territories.

These functions have hitherto been discharged by the Treasury and the Overseas Departments; the Department of Technical Co-operation has been absorbed into the Ministry of Overseas Development. The functions originating in the other Departments mentioned are in process of transfer. The Ministry will be responsible for the Commonwealth Development Corporation.

The Ministry will have general responsibility for co-ordinating British policy in respect of the aid and development work of the United Nations and its Specialised Agencies and for aid questions arising from the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development. In addition because of the importance of aid and technical assistance in the activities of U.N.E.S.C.O. and F.A.O., the Ministry will assume the prime responsibility for relations with these bodies from the Department of Education and Science and the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, respectively.

The Treasury will continue to deal with the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development, in close consultation with the Ministry of Overseas Development.”

Source: Hansard HC Deb. Vol. 701, Col. 841, 10 Nov 1964
Image: U.S. President John F. Kennedy with U.K. Foreign Secretary Patrick Gordon Walker, 29 May 1963
Abbie Rowe. White House Photographs. John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

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