§ 35. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health what reply was given by Her Majesty's Government to the request of the World Health Organisation for a contribution to its Special Malaria Eradication Fund.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithHer Majesty's Government regretted that they did not feel able to make any further contribution to malaria eradication work additional to that which they already make by way of their contributions to the regular budgets of the World Health Organisation and to the United Nations Children's Fund and the Expanded Programme of Technical Assistance, as well as by way of the anti-malaria work undertaken in Her Majesty's territories overseas.
§ Mr. PavittWhilst appreciating the Minister's regret, in view of the fact that there are some 250 million potential victims of malaria, will he think further on the question of responding to this special appeal?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWe do not think that voluntary special ad hoc funds are a sound way of financing continuing programmes of international organisations which have a regular budget. We feel that such actvities should be part of a co-ordinated programme within a regular budget drawn up with predetermined priorities.
§ 36. Mr. Pavittasked the Minister of Health if he will propose at the next meeting of the World Health Organisation that all member States be asked to increase their contributions to the organisation in order to enable it to meet the cost of a special campaign to eradicate malaria.
§ Mr. Walker-SmithNo, Sir. I do not think that it would be appropriate to put forward such a proposal.
§ Mr. PavittWill the Minister bear in mind that America is already contributing very well to the fund, and that if he cannot see his way clear to supporting the ad hoc fund, it would at least do something towards solving this terrific problem if Her Majesty's Government would consider raising an amount in the same proportion as that paid by America?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithWe have substantially increased our contribution to the World Health Organisation annual budget over the years. In fact, we are the third largest contributor to it. That budget has itself doubled over the last six years, and there is a further increase in the budget for 1961 of nearly 10 per cent.
§ Dr. SummerskillHow can the Minister justify not giving one penny to the Malaria Eradication Fund, in view of the fact that many of the countries for which we are responsible have a very high mortality and morbidity rate for malaria?
§ Mr. Walker-SmithI answered the first part of the right hon. Lady's supplementary question when I told the House what was the view of Her Majesty's Government on the way in which this kind of work should be financed within the context of the responsibility of the World Health Organisation. As regards overseas territories, we contribute substantial sums towards anti-malarial work by way of grants under the Colonial Development and Welfare Acts.