§ 25. Mr. P. Noel-Bakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what percentage the sum of money which Her Majesty's Government have contributed in 1959 to the United 1178 Nations International Children's Emergency Fund is of the total sum contributed by all nations to the Fund; and what proposals Her Majesty's Government have made for an increase in their contribution to the Fund in 1960.
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreThe United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations Children's Fund—U.N.I.C.E.F.—for 1959 represents 3 per cent. of the estimated total of contributions to the Fund for the year. No decision has yet been made regarding the size of our contribution in 1960.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIn view of the very great importance of the work U.N.I.C.E.F. is doing in the underdeveloped countries, and the great amount of work that it does in British Commonwealth Territories, is it not most regrettable that we should have contributed only 3 per cent.—less than the contributions of Costa Rica, Brunei and other countries—and could we not do better next year?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI think that our contributions to the United Nations organisations as a whole will stand up to any examination. We certainly pull our weight in all these organisations. With regard to what we might do in this next year, I am afraid that I have no statement to make.
§ Mr. TurtonCan my right hon. Friend say how much money we spend on the children in Commonwealth territories, quite apart from U.N.I.C.E.F.?
§ Mr. Ormsby-GoreI will try to find out from my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. Noel-BakerIs not a great deal of work done by U.N.I.C.E.F. in Commonwealth territories, and is it not most regrettable that we cannot now promise that in October, when the pledging takes place, we shall give a better percentage than we did last year?