HC Deb 02 December 1953 vol 521 cc1131-2
10. Mrs. Castle

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the response made by other countries at the pledging conference of the United Nations Expanded Technical Assistance Programme, he will increase this country's contribution by a further £50,000.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

The position remains as stated in the reply given to the hon. Lady on 11th November. Her Majesty's Government propose to increase their contribution by a further £50,000 if and when the total pledged exceeds 25 million dollars. The amount so far pledged is 23.7 million dollars.

Mrs. Castle

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the increase in the United Kingdom contribution this year to £600,000 still leaves us £300,000 less than we should be contributing if we were giving 10 per cent. of the Technical Assistance budget, as we are giving 10 per cent. of the general United Nations budget? In view of that fact, will he not waive the point and give a lead to the world by making this additional £50,000 contribution, seeing that the total figure so far pledged has almost reached the one promised?

Mr. Lloyd

The United Kingdom has increased by 20 per cent. the contribution this year, which is not bad.