HC Deb 29 November 1962 vol 668 cc647-8
24. Mr. Owen

asked the Minister of Education if he will state Her Majesty's Government's budget allocation to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for the periods 1961–62 and 1963–64; and whether there has been a change of policy.

Sir E. Boyle

The budget voted by the Eleventh Session of the General Conference of U.N.E.S.C.O. in December, 1960, was $32½ million. The assessed contribution of the United Kingdom to the Organisation for 1961 and 1962, respectively, was £405,000 and £393,000, and these sums have been paid.

The Twelfth Session of the Conference decided on 18th November to fix the provisional budget ceiling for 1963 and 1964 at $39 million—i.e. an increase of 16.7 per cent. over the previous two-year period. The United Kingdom voted for this figure. This will represent an annual contribution by the United Kingdom for both 1963 and 1964 of £492,036.

There has been no change of policy in the attitude of Her Majesty's Government to the Organisation.