HC Deb 01 May 1961 vol 639 cc895-7
34. Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will make a statement on the financing of the United Nations operation in the Congo to date.

Mr. Heath

Since the reply is long, I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Johnson

I recognise the heavy burden that has already been accepted by this country, but in view of the very real danger that the whole Congo operation may break down through lack of funds, would Her Majesty's Government be prepared to consider making an additional grant over and above the usual United Nations percentage for this special purpose?

Mr. Heath

If the procedure outlined in the Resolution passed by the Assembly on 21st April is followed, I hope that that will satisfactorily deal with the financing of the operation in the present year. We did give an undertaking that we will contribute another 2 million dollars provided that the other countries undertake their obligations.

Mr. Fell

As my right hon. Friend's figures will show that this country is bearing a very large part of the burden of the cost of the Congo operations, will he immediately make the most urgent representations to Mr. Hammarskjoeld to intervene in the release of Mr. Tshombe, otherwise Katanga as well may collapse?

Mr. Heath

That is a much wider question, but as this conference has been taking place at Coquilhatville, as we have no representation there, and as I understand that the leaders have not yet returned to Leopoldville, it has not been possible to find out exactly what the situation is. As soon as we do so, we shall naturally consider what action should be taken.

Mr. Healey

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that many of us are more concerned with the fate of the two missing British officers of the United Nations forces than with the fate of Mr. Tshombe? Has the Lord Privy Seal any information on this matter?

Mr. Heath

We are naturally most concerned about it. We have as yet no information.

Mr. Biggs-Davison

On the narrower question of the financing of the United Nations operation, will the Government give urgent consideration to stopping any further payment of British money which may go to those United Nations forces whose presence in Katanga has been subverting the régime of President Tshombe, has indirectly let to the deaths of the British officers referred to by the hon. Member for Leeds, East (Mr. Healey), and has also led to the subversion of the Katanga experiment in non-racial partnership and the endangering of the frontiers of British territories in Central Africa?

Mr. Heath

If my hon. Friend tables a Question of that nature. I will deal with it in detail.

Mr. Paget

Without going into any question of the rights and wrongs of the régime in Katanga, have not we sufficient interest in the United Nations task in the Congo to make very strong representations that the kidnapping of the head of a province who was attending a conference under safe conduct in the capacity of a herald is a most disgraceful thing and certainly ought not to be done?

Mr. Heath

I told the House that we are awaiting full information about this, but we have constantly urged that there should be a meeting of leaders from the Congo in order to reach agreement about the future of that country. Anything which interferes with conciliation between leaders is regrettable.

Following is the reply: The United Nations Operation in the Congo has been under way since July 1960; its financing therefore falls under two United Nations financial years—1960 and 1961. 1960 The General Assembly, by its resolution 1583 of last December, acknowledged that the 1960 costs of the operation, reduced by airlift waivers from $60 million to $48.5 million, were expenses of the Organisation and apportioned them among Member States according to the percentage payable by them to the regular budget of the Organisation. In addition, this resolution provided that the burden on the poorer Members should be lessened by partial rebates, met from voluntary contributions announced by certain Members. 1961 The Resumed Session of the General Assembly resolved on the 21st of April to finance the costs of the operation for the first ten months of 1961, estimated at $100 million, by opening a new ad hoc account and apportioning these expenses among Member States according to the percentage they contribute to the regular budget but with provision for rebates to be granted to the poorer members. The resolution adopted stated that these expenses were essentially different from expenses under the regular budget and, therefore, subject to a different financing procedure. It urged Permanent Members of the Security Council to make sizeable additional contributions, sought voluntary contributions and called upon the Belgian Government to make a sizeable contribution. The voluntary funds from these sources were to be used to offset the cost of the rebates of from fifty to eighty per cent. provided for in the resolution for the poorer members.
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