HC Deb 25 June 1964 vol 697 cc622-4
Q8. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister what total sum was paid by Her Majesty's Government in 1963 as the British contribution to the budget of the United Nations, to the budgets of the Specialised Agencies, and to the various United Nations voluntary funds; and what will be the corresponding sum in 1964.

The Prime Minister

The total sum paid in 1963 was £20,699,000. The estimate for 1964 is £23,425,000.

Mr. Noel-Baker

As the Civil Estimates show sums of £12.7 million for 1963 and £11.7 million for 1964, can the Prime Minister explain where the rest of the sum comes from?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir. This is only part of the picture which the right hon. Gentleman quotes. I think that he has got it from an Answer which my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary gave not long ago. But the International Development Association, the International Finance Corporation and the International Monetary Fund, all of which are part of the United Nations Organisation, have not so far been quantified. I was giving the House the total figure.

Mr. Noel-Baker

If the Prime Minister brings in the financial institutions—which I agree is legitimate—will he remember that on the other side there is an item for a loan of 1,300 million dollars from the International Monetary Fund to bail the Government out after Suez?

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would my right hon. Friend circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT those member countries of the United Nations which failed to pay their contribution in 1963?

The Prime Minister

I will consider that. Certainly the contribution from the United Kingdom is well above our assessment.

Q9. Mr. P. Noel-Baker

asked the Prime Minister what sum, expressed in pounds sterling, was spent in 1963 by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Arab Refugees; and what was the British contribution to this sum paid by Her Majesty's Government.

The Prime Minister

The total expenditure of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East in 1963 was £12,556,746. Her Majesty's Government's contribution was £1,928,572.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Does the Prime Minister agree that, if the United Nations had not taken over this Arab refugee work, it would have fallen as a burden on the British Government, who governed Palestine until 1947, and do not we thereby recoup almost all our contributions to the United Nations?

The Prime Minister

This problem cannot be said to be the legacy of the Palestine situation; it is really the legacy of the Arab-Jewish quarrel. As regards the United Nations budget for refugees, we pay, after the United States, far in advance of any other country.

Sir H. Legge-Bourke

I welcome the fact that the Prime Minister has confirmed the very special interest which, naturally, we have in this grievous problem, but will he bear in mind that there is very considerable concern about overcentralisation in the administration of the funds to which we contribute for this purpose? Will he see whether a new initiative can be taken in the United Nations to ensure that the necessary sums made available reach those whom they are intended to benefit with the utmost expedition?

The Prime Minister

Yes, Sir; we are already taking steps to this end. The problem which the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. P. Noel-Baker) has raised is an appalling one, and no one would underestimate it, but I think that the United Kingdom contribution is generous and, as I said, it is far in advance of what most other countries provide.

Mr. Grimond

Does the Prime Minister agree that a great deal of the work which the United Nations does in the Congo is liable to be rendered useless by the failure of its constituent nations to pay their contributions and that a very serious situation may arise in the Congo? I am not blaming Her Majesty's Government for this, but will the Prime Minister say whether any conversations are going on at this time among members of the Security Council or of the United Nations to meet this situation which may become extremely difficult for us all?

The Prime Minister

I think that the situation in the Congo raises quite another question. All the time, although we did not agree very often with the manner of the United Nations handling of the matter, we have paid to the full. I think that it is a matter for United Nations decision and for the Secretary-General whether or not the operation continues.