HL Deb 08 May 1980 vol 408 cc1762-4

3.10 p.m.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what was the total sum under all headings paid by Britain to the United Nations during the last year of available accounting.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, in the calendar year 1979, the United Kingdom contributed to the United Nations a total under all heads of £98.1 million. Of this, £32.9 million was paid in assessed contributions and £65.2 million in voluntary contributions.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, may I ask the Minister whether it does not seem that the sum which we have contributed is a not insignificant increase on the previous year? May I also ask him whether he is in a position to state what is the amount by which the Soviet Union are in arrears with their contribution, and how many other members of the United Nations are also in arrears with their contributions?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the contributions to the regular budget of the United Nations were outstanding from no less than 83 Member States, including the Soviet Union, on 31st December 1979. If my noble friend will allow me to do so, I will place a document giving all the details in the Library.

Lord GORONWY-ROBERTS

My Lords, can the noble Lord confirm that the British financial contribution to the United Nations is comparable to that of broadly similar Member States of the United Nations—a comparability which has not yet been achieved in regard to our contribution in Europe?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the assessed contributions to the United Nations' budget are arrived at as a result of a rather complicated formula relating to GNP, population and other factors, but we contribute about 4½ per cent. to the UNs' total budget.

Lord PAGET of NORTHAMPTON

My Lords, in view of the parlous state of our economy, could we join the majority of 83 who do not pay for admittance?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, I am not sure whether the noble Lord really expects an answer to that question, but of course we comply with the undertakings which we have given in the United Nations Charter.

Lord KALDOR

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the figures which he has given to the House include our contribution to the specialised agencies of the United Nations, or only to the United Nations itself?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the second figure to which I referred—the voluntary contributions of £65.2 million—does, indeed, include our contribution to the agencies.

Lord BARNBY

My Lords, since it appears that the contribution of the Soviet Union is more in arrears than it was last year, and there are a greater number of other delinquents, would it be right to assume that, by reason of these big arrears of contributions, the contributions of those who do pay up, such as Great Britain, must necessarily be increased?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the arrears of contributions from the various nations to which I have referred have a disadvantageous effect upon the finances of the United Nations generally. Under the United Nations agreement, countries which are more than two years in arrears lose their vote and all the countries concerned tend to pay up just before the two years run out.

Lord PARRY

My Lords, is not the real point that the more dangerous the world situation politically, the more essential it is that this country should discharge its obligations to the United Nations?

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, the noble Lord is quite right.