FOREIGN Office Minister Baroness Chalker is to retire after the General Election, whatever the result, Downing Street announced yesterday.

Lady Chalker said in her resignation letter to the Prime Minister that she was ''deeply committed to continuing development work in Africa and now feel that I should do this independently.

''This is in no way a sudden decision but confirms my long-held wish, which we discussed last year.''

In his reply, Mr Major said he respected her wish ''but with great regret''.

Praising her contribution to the Government since 1979 as ''enormous across a range of departments'', the Prime Minister said Lady Chalker had brought a ''particularly effective combination of dedication, hard-headed analysis, and a genuine compassion.

''Our many partners in development have good reason to be grateful for your understanding of their problems and your insight into how real help can most effectively be given.

''In the process, you have become a figure of world stature but also a close friend and trusted adviser of many international leaders. Your reputation in Africa stands particularly high.''

Lady Chalker - formerly Linda Chalker - became the Conservative MP for Wallasey in 1974 but lost her seat in the last election and was made a life peer.

She became a junior Minister at the Department of Transport in 1982, was appointed Foreign Office Minister in 1986, and Minister for Overseas Development in 1989.