HC Deb 20 June 1955 vol 542 cc1010-2
12. Mr. de Freitas

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government will increase their contribution to the United Nations agencies concerned with the economic development of the undeveloped areas of the world.

Mr. Nutting

Her Majesty's Government always contribute to such agencies as generously as their other commitments allow. I cannot however anticipate what future contributions they may be able to make to world economic development.

Mr. de Freitas

Is the Minister aware that the proportion of the British contribution to technical assistance has fallen considerably since 1951? Will not the Government really give a lead in September to the other industrial countries by making greater contributions, because it makes good sense economically, politically and morally to do so?

Mr. Nutting

The hon. Member is really giving a very misleading picture of British contributions to technical assistance. I will give the amounts of the contributions. In 1950–51—a period of 18 months—we contributed £760,000; in 1951—a 12-months' period—£450,000; 1953, £500,000; 1954, £650,000, and in 1955 we raised our contribution to £800,000.

Mr. de Freitas

But is it not a fact that in each case our proportion fell, which is the point I am making?

Mr. Nutting

What is a fact is that we still remain the second largest contributor to the United Nations and its agencies.

Major Legge-Bourke

Would not my right hon. Friend agree that, in assessing the part which Britain is playing in supporting the funds for this purpose, regard should also be had to the enormous sums being paid through colonial development and welfare?

Mr. Nutting

And, I would add, through the Colombo Plan.

Mr. H. Wilson

Is it still the position that Her Majesty's Government cannot and will not give any active support to the proposed special United Nations Fund for economic development until further progress has been made with disarmament?

Mr. Nutting

Yes, Sir. That is the position, because the resolution which was agreed by all the nations at the United Nations Assembly last year envisaged that a fund should be set up when sufficient progress had been made with disarmament, and when there were sufficient savings from disarmament to contribute effectively to such a fund. Her Majesty's Government support that policy.

Mr. S. Silverman

Can the Minister of State inform the House whether there is any compelling public reason why he should refrain from answering the perfectly proper Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. de Freitas), namely, whether or not it is a fact that this country's proportion of the total contributions has been steadily falling between the dates mentioned?

Mr. Nutting

I am perfectly prepared to answer that. It may well be that our contribution per cent.—in proportion—has fallen, but the hon. Member ignores the reason. The reason is, of course, that for the first time and for the first occasion the Russians have chosen to make a contribution to a United Nations specialised agency. They have elected to make a contribution to the Technical Assistance Programme. That is why Her Majesty's Government's contribution has been lower in terms of proportion than in other cases.

Mr. Silverman

Then why did not the Minister say so?

Mr. Nutting

Because the hon. Member did not ask the Question. He now asks the Question, and I am giving him the answer. It is that Russia is now making a contribution.