HL Deb 06 August 1980 vol 412 cc1488-9

2.58 p.m.

The Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why, in the present state of emergency in so many areas, they have reduced their contribution to the United Nations international children's emergency fund in 1980 compared with the amount contributed in 1978 and 1979.

The LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, taking account of both the regular programme and special projects outside it, we shall still be contributing more in 1980 to the United Nations Children's Fund than in any year except 1979. when we gave additional funds in recognition of the International Year of the Child. We are still the fourth largest regular donor to UNICEF.

The Lord Bishop of ROCHESTER

My Lords, I thank the noble and learned Lord for his Answer. Would he not agree that, in view of the changed value of money and the comparatively small amount involved, anyway, in the contribution to this particular United Nations agency, it is rather sad that the British contribution is not higher than it is having regard to the urgent situations throughout the world on which this fund is trying to help?

The LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, United Kingdom support for UNICEF has been rising rapidly in recent years, and I think we would agree that it is one of the most effective of the United Nations agencies, with a high proportion of staff engaged in field programmes and a good record of activity in the poorest countries of the world, and in areas of greatest need. But this contribution to this very desirable end must be seen, for instance, in the light of the last Question on another claim on our resources—no less urgent, I think the noble Lord would say—and of the total aid programme which in 1979 (and before Zimbabwe was taken into account) ran at £891 million. I think we must take account of the fact that in borrowing £10,000 million a year, much of which goes on current assumptions, we cannot always do as much as we should like.

Lord WELLS-PESTELL

My Lords, having regard to the fact that this country during the International Year of the Child made an extremely good effort, and bearing in mind that the cause of children throughout the world is extremely important, may I ask the noble and learned Lord the difference between what we shall give this year as against what we gave in 1979? If it is an appreciable difference, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether the Government would keep this matter in the forefront of their minds?

The LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, perhaps I may read out some figures which I think will give an effective answer to the first part of the noble Lord's supplementary question. One must add together the regular contributions and the contributions to special appeals and specific projects. In 1978 our contribution to the regular programme was £4.5 million with £1.192 million to special appeals and specific projects; in 1979—it was the Year of the Child—the figures were £5.8 million with £1.6 million to special projects and appeals; and in 1980, the current year, the figures are £4.3 million and £1.3456 million to special appeals and specific projects. All three are very much the biggest contributions which we have so far made to UNICEF.