Catalogue description Records of natural resources departments

Responsibility for natural resources development was dealt with in the Department for Technical Co-operation by the various general sections of the department. Following the creation of the Ministry of Overseas Development, the responsibility was handled as follows:

Natural Resources Department (Department of Technical Co-operation and Ministry of Overseas Development), 1963-1969;

Natural Resources, FAO and Voluntary Organisations Department (Ministry of Overseas Development), 1969-1970;

Natural Resources and Voluntary Organisations Department (Overseas Development Administration), 1970-1972;

Land Resources Division (Overseas Development Administration), 1972-1973;

Natural Resources Research Department (Overseas Development Administration and Ministry of Overseas Development), 1973-1978;

Health and Natural Resources Department (Ministry of Overseas Development and Overseas Development Administration), 1978-1980;

Natural Resources Division (Overseas Development Administration and Department for International Development), 1980 to date.

From 1991, the Division included a Natural Resources and Environment Department; from 1993, the Division was sub-divided into three departments: the Environmental Policy Department, the Natural Resources Policy and Advisory Department, and the Natural Resources Research Department; the Division, and subsequently the Environmental Policy Department, was responsible for management of the Natural Resources Institute Executive Agency.

These various departments and divisions dealt with policy on the provision of aid to developing nations in the fields of natural and renewable resources and rural development within the overall framework of United Kingdom aid policy, and the funding or sponsoring of research in the same fields. This involves liaison with geographical departments in the Department/Ministry/Administration, and with outside bodies including the Natural Resources Institute, the Natural Environment Research Council, the Silsoe Research Institute, the Tsetse Research Laboratory, the Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine, the Oxford Forestry Institute, and other related and similar bodies.

The departments and divisions also deal with development, science and technology matters relating to the Commonwealth and the European Union and predecessors. At times the departments and divisions have also been responsible for relations with GATT, with voluntary organisations, the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation and the World Health Organisation, and related issues.