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considerable help to donors (including the British Government) in responding to requests for aid. Territories without a plan put themselves at a disadvantage in attracting aid finance, Governments of DTs are not formally required to prepare development plans and to submit them for the approval of the Secretary of State: but for the reasons given in this para they are strongly encouraged, in their own interests, to formulate plans and to ensure that they are revised in the light of changing circumstances.
16.7
16.8
16.8.1
16.8.2
16.8.3
AID ALLOCATIONS
The Minister for Overseas Development determines the allocation of the funds available for aid and technical cooperation among recipients including the DTs. The machinery for determining the allocation ie the compilation of the aid framework, is the responsibility of Finance Department, ODA. The Heads of DT geographical Departments in the FCO participate in this procedure; they present the reasonable needs of their Territories for aid, in the light of the Territory's capacity to make the best use of the funds allocated. When the aid framework has received inter-departmental approval in Whitehall, the Head of each DT geographical Department informs the OAG of the aid allocation his Territory may expect to receive for the immediately following UK financial year only, and, if necessary, explains and justifies the allocation.
DEVELOPMENT AND PROJECTS
Proposals for individual projects are normally made by the Governments of DTs: but the FCO and ODA may also make suggestions for projects particularly as a result of visits to DTs by Advisers. (See para 16.3). Details of proposals for projects initiated by the Governments of DTs are sent by them to the FCO DT geographical Department for examination. Once a decision is reached the DT geographical Department informs the OAG of the outcome.
After consultation with Advisers and functional Departments, Heads of DT geographical Departments may approve projects up to £600,000 which meet the criteria laid down in ODA Office Procedure.
Projects of over £1 million require the prior approval of the ODA Projects and Evaluation Committee. Projects over £600,000 but less than £1m should be brought to the attention of a supervising AUSS at the planning stage, in case he should wish to refer them ad hoc to the Projects Committee. (See Annex 19.)
16.8.4 Development Aid Projects for West Indian and Atlantic Department's Territories involving sums not exceeding £600,000 are submitted by the Territory direct to the British Development Division in the Caribbean, Barbados. The Development Division hold delegated authority from ODA to approve projects up to this level. A copy of the project application is sent to West Indian and Atlantic Department. Provided that the project is fully agreed between the Government of the Territory and the Development Division, the concurrence of the FCO is assumed if no objection or query is raised within three weeks after copies of the application could be expected to have reached London. If, however, disagreement arises between the Government of the DT and Development Division which cannot be resolved, either may refer the matter to the FCO. Projects involving amounts in excess of £600,000, and all applications which may involve local loan finance, require approval in London on the same basis as for other DT aid projects.
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