30. Mr. Alan Lee Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what steps he is taking to represent to the Secretary-General of the United Nations at the start of his new term of office the need for an overhaul of the administrative structure of the United Nations secretariat with a view to both streamlining and strengthening it.
§ Mr. George ThomsonHer Majesty's Government certainly wish the United Nations secretariat to be strong and efficient. Our views on this matter are known to the Secretary-General, and he is aware that he will have our support for any proposals designed to improve the administrative strength of the organisation.
Mr. WilliamsDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate that there is a great deal of evidence that certain of the specialised agencies of the United Nations overlap in their responsibilities, and will he press for an inquiry at the highest level in the United Nations to examine the relationship of the specialised agencies with the Secretary-General, as it is a long time now since 1945 and workings of the specialised agencies need to undergo some change?
§ Mr. ThomsonI agree that there is overlapping among these specialised agencies and it is a matter for concern. The E.C.O.S.O.C. meeting is one of the places where this matter is under review, and it also comes under the consideration of the Secretary-General, and I hope that it will be helped by the kind of 72 reorganisation mentioned in my hon. Friend's original Question.
§ Mr. FortescueAs a former member of the staff of the United Nations secretariat, may I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware of the view held by many there, somewhat paradoxically, perhaps, that the structure of the United Nations would be strengthened if the salaries were not so extravagantly high?
§ Mr. ThomsonThat is a separate point. The important matter here is not the numbers employed but the effectiveness of the actual administrative structure; and it is that which requires some attention.