§ 41. Mr. Francis Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what fresh instructions he has sent to the British Delegation to the United Nations for the forthcoming discussions, by the Third Committee of the General Assembly, on the United Nations Appeal for Children.
Mr. McNeilMy hon. Friend is, I am sure, aware that there is considerable support in the Assembly for the view that the Appeal ought to be terminated, on the grounds that the high administrative costs involved have not been proportionate to the success of the Appeal. However, the United Kingdom Delegation to the United Nations General Assembly are instructed to support the 31 continuation by the United Nations Secretariat of reasonable administrative arrangements to facilitate the holding of further United Nations Appeals.
§ Mr. F. Noel-BakerWhile thanking my right hon. Friend for that reply, may I ask whether he can assure the House that the instructions given to the Delegation will permit a reasonable budget for the co-ordinating part of the Secretariat to carry on these appeals, and that they will be able to do effective work in the future?
Mr. McNeilI have looked at the business myself, and if a Scotsman may be thought to be reasonable in his attitude to finance, I would say that our instructions are reasonable.
§ 57. Mr. John Hyndasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether His Majesty's Government will support at the General Assembly of U.N.O. the proposal for a further appeal in 1949 through the United Nations Appeal for Children, and ensure that sufficient funds are allocated to meet the expenses of such appeal; and what steps are being taken in the meantime to maintain the necessary organisation in this country against the possibility of its being required for the further appeal.
Mr. McNeilAs regards the first part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given today to my hon. Friend the Member for Brentford and Chiswick (Mr. F. Noel-Baker). As to the second part, the official closing date for this appeal was originally fixed for 17th July, but as some payments had still to be received the life of the organisation was prolonged until 31st December, 1948. After that date four trustees will be appointed to deal with any residual funds. If the United Nations Assembly decides in favour of another appeal, the question of new or continuing machinery in this country will naturally have to be considered by those principally concerned, including, of course, the voluntary societies.
§ Mr. HyndIs the Minister aware that. because of the restrictions the British Government are attempting to impose on the administrative expenses in any further appeal, the impression has been created that they are not enthusiastic about a further appeal; is he further aware that 32 the total administrative costs last year were only a fraction of 1 per cent. of the results, and that it is now suggested those costs should be cut by one-fifth; and will he see that that impression is removed by not sticking too rigidly to the very low sum that is being proposed?
Mr. McNeilHis Majesty's Government must, of course, take proper account of the rising budget costs of the United Nations, and we had to consider whether the sum voted for this particular purpose was proportionate to the results. Submissions have been made by various Members—including my hon. Friend—and the Government have attempted to take account of those opinions. We will see that an adequate but not an extravagant sum—which I do insist the sum last year was—will be made available for this purpose, so far as it lies within the power of the Delegation from this Government.
§ Mr. WarbeyWould my right hon. Friend say what he would regard as an adequate administrative budget for an organisation which is making a worldwide appeal affecting hundreds of millions of people? For example, would he regard £12,000 as an adequate sum for such a purpose?