Overseas - Dods Monitoring

foreword The new array of flags that have been flying in Parliament Square are one of the first public displays of the United Kingdom’s <strong>Overseas</strong> Territories, and it has taken much effort on the part of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to achieve this subtle gesture of unity. In the corner of many of the flags is a Union Jack reflecting the close accord that remains between the UK and the 16 <strong>Overseas</strong> Territories that exist today. Of the 16, five lie in the Caribbean. It is here that the West India Committee, the only UK charity solely dedicated to the region, has conducted its affairs for over 278 years in pursuit of an increase in the general welfare of the peoples of the region. This is sought through the auspices of education, training, advice and advocacy to promote agriculture, manufacturing, trade and industry in and with the Caribbean giving opportunities for the growth of the UK economy in tandem with those of its <strong>Overseas</strong> Territories. To that avail the West India Committee and Cable & Wireless have sponsored this supplement. The Rt Hon. the Lord Aschcroft of Chichester, KCMG, PC. President of the West India Committee november 2013 | THE HOUSE MAGAZINE | 3