HC Deb 24 January 1949 vol 460 cc554-5
41. Mr. Francis Noel-Baker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what reply he has made to the representations of the General Council of the United Nations Association regarding the British contribution to the International Children's Emergency Fund; and whether he will now consider increasing this contribution in order at least to make it more comparable with contributions already paid by the Governments of several smaller and less wealthy states.

Mr. Mayhew

My right hon. Friend promised to look into the question of the British contribution to the International Children's Emergency Fund. My hon. Friend will know that, in addition to His Majesty's Government's contribution of £100,000, the Fund has also received some £350,000 from the Lord Mayor's voluntary Appeal on behalf of the United Nations Appeal for Children. This was the second largest voluntary contribution. In addition the United Kingdom provided 15.5 per cent. of the original funds furnished to U.N:R.R.A. from which the Children's Fund has benefited to the tune of some 30 million dollars. No decision has yet been taken regarding a further Governmental contribution to the Children's Fund.

Mr. Noel-Baker

In view of the fact that these two contributions, voluntary on the one hand and Governmental on the other, are quite separate matters, and that a number of Governments of very much smaller countries have given substantially larger contributions to the Fund, will he say if he can increase the British Government's contribution?

Mr. Mayhew

We have that under consideration, but I cannot agree that our contribution is not substantial in the circumstances.

Mr. Lipson

Does not my hon. Friend agree that the generous sum provided voluntarily indicates that there is a very strong feeling in favour of more generous action?

Mr. Mayhew

We will certainly contribute all we can, but the attitude of the voluntary societies has to be taken into account.