HC Deb 20 March 1963 vol 674 cc358-9
9. Mr. A. Henderson

asked the Lord Privy Seal whether he will make a statement on the present financial position of the United Nations Organisation; which countries are in arrears with their dues; and what action is to be taken against defaulting members.

33. Mr. E. L. Malialieu

asked the Lord Privy Seal if he will give instructions to his representative at the United Nations to raise the subject of the United Nations' financial position, in view of the advisory opinion given by the International Court of Justice in July of last year entitled, Certain Expenses of the United Nations, Article 17, Paragraph 2 of the Charter, in regard to the Congo.

Mr. Godber

The most recent information regarding the state of contributions to the Regular and Special accounts of the United Nations is contained in the United Nations Secretariat document dated 25th February, a copy of which is available in the Library of the House. According to that document arrears of contributions on 31st January this year amounted to approximately 116 million dollars. As against this, receipts from the United Nations Bond Issue totalled on 15th February a little over 124 million dollars.

The question of what action should be taken regarding members who are in arrears with their contributions is now being studied by the Working Group of Twenty-One established by the General Assembly at its last Session to consider the question of United Nations' finances in the light of the Advisory Opinion of the International Court. The United Kingdom is a member of the Working Group, which is to complete its report by 31st March. Its recommendations will be considered by a Special Session of the General Assembly which is expected to begin on 14th May.

Mr. Henderson

Can the Minister of State say whether the Soviet and French Governments are still refusing to pay their contributions in spite of the advisory opinion received from the International Court of Justice? If so, does not this continued refusal to pay constitute a serious threat to the continued existence of the United Nations itself?

Mr. Godber

A number of countries are still refusing to pay these contributions, in particular for the Congo operation. The Soviet bloc, in addition, refuse to pay contributions for the Middle East Force. All these matters are being considered by this working group to see if we could get out of the present impasse. Both the Soviet Union and France are members of that group and so are the British Government. We hope that something may come from it.