§ Q8. Mr. Brian Parkyn asked the Prime Minister whether he will now introduce legislation to ensure that a royalty of 0.1d. per therm is paid by Her Majesty's Government to the United Nations on all North Sea gas brought into this country from outside territorial waters.
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. Her Majesty's Government's subscriptions to United Nations bodies are assessed on other criteria than their income from royalties of this sort.
§ Mr. ParkynWould not the Prime Minister agree that if we are ever to establish a world government the United Nations will urgently need a source of income in addition to the dues from Member States?
§ The Prime MinisterMost of us, I think, support my hon. Friend's objective of ultimate world government. The success of the United Nations in approaching towards that aim will depend on the extent to which its member nations cooperate not only on finance but other matters, and finance is very much a symbol of the backing which member nations give to the United Nations. In this, as my hon. Friend knows, we gave a lead at a very critical time two years ago when it was most needed.
§ Mr. Eldon GriffithsBefore he even considers giving royalties from North Sea gas, will the Prime Minister press on those members of the United Nations who are delinquent in contribution and ask them to increase their share before we increase ours?
§ The Prime MinisterThat is a very fair point. This is what we have done. Despite that, we took the special initiative of June, 1965. On the first part of the Question, I was not intending to give consideration to this proposal.