HL Deb 05 June 1989 vol 508 cc588-90

2.47 p.m.

The Viscount of Oxfuird asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the current level of the United Kingdom commitment to United Nations peacekeeping operations.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the net amount included in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office estimates for the current financial year specifically for UK peacekeeping operations is £ 64 million.

We contribute troops to two UN peacekeeping operations: 741 officers and men to the United Nations Force in Cyprus and a signals squadron of 162 men to the United Nations Transition Assistance Group in Namibia.

The Viscount of Oxfuird

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his reply. Can he advise the House on how the contribution of the United Kingdom compares with that of other United Nations countries?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I take it that my noble friend is concerned about the financial contributions. There are various schemes for the arrangements for UN peacekeeping. Some small UN peacekeeping operations are financed through the United Nations regular budget, to which we subscribe £ 20 million this year. Others are financed by special accounts, and the United Nations Force in Cyprus solely through voluntary contributions.

So far as concerns comparisons with others, it is a fact that many countries do not pay their dues. The Soviet Union owes 147 million dollars in respect of arrears for the United Nations Force in Lebanon, for example; and the United States owes 90 million dollars. Some 80 countries are in arrears with their peacekeeping dues.

Lord Hatch of Lusby

My Lords, will the noble Lord tell the House what is the present and projected cost of the United Kingdom contribution to the peacekeeping force in Namibia? Since the events of 1st April this year, have the Government considered whether or not that amount should be increased, and the United Nations Force in Namibia increased, in view of the tragedies which have already taken place?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, increasing the force would be a matter for the United Nations Secretary-General. We have made it clear that we would consider promptly and sympathetically any request by him for reinforcements. We support his plan to double the number of peace monitors in Namibia up to 1,000.

I am afraid that I do not have the specific financial figures with me, but I shall let the noble Lord know.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, in view of the fact that these peacekeeping forces play a role of the utmost importance, does the noble Lord not agree that it is deplorable that countries which are members of the United Nations do not pay their dues? Can he indicate why the Soviet Union and the United States are not paying their dues? What steps have Her Majesty's Government taken through the usual channels of the United Nations to protest and to seek to persuade these countries to pay up?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am unable to say precisely why either the Soviet Union or the United States does not pay. I know that in the United States it is a matter for some discussion as to whether the paying of its dues would be possible. I believe that it is in our interests that this matter should be taken up because certain peacekeeping operations are severely hit, in particular the United Nations force in Cyprus, as its finances are based solely on voluntary contributions, which have for a long time fallen short of the amount required.

Lord Mayhew

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that in spite of the increasing value of the peacekeeping forces, the arrangements for organising them at the United Nations are thoroughly unsatisfactory, which is evident from his replies? Have the Government any proposals for improving this? For example, now that the Russians are more co-operative, have the Government considered trying to revive the military staffs committee and giving it responsibility for organising peacekeeping forces?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I know of no plan to revive the military staffs committee, but I agree with the noble Lord that at a time when there are increasing demands on the United Nations, the methods of making the contributions that all countries make to peacekeeping forces around the world should be made as effective and as proper as possible.

Lord Elwyn-Jones

My Lords, is the United Nations as an organisation solvent at this moment? If not, is that not a deplorable state of affairs?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I do not know the answer to that. However, I shall inquire and let the noble and learned Lord know.

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