HL Deb 16 May 1989 vol 507 cc1041-3

2.51 p.m.

Baroness Strange asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will give a grant to the British troops serving with UNFICYP at Jubilee Camp towards renovating the old hangar at Nicosia Airport as a sports centre.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Glenarthur)

My Lords, I am glad to say that we have agreed with UNFICYP to fund the conversion of the hangar to a gymnasium and recreation centre. We hope that the necessary work can be completed in the current financial year.

Baroness Strange

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that deliciously and unexpectedly encouraging reply. Does he agree that we are all proud of our British forces and the way they maintain peace throughout the world, and that we are delighted to have any opportunity to express that pride?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. We of course share that view. In Cyprus the British contingent has worked extremely hard and brings special balances to bear in a difficult situation.

Lord Cledwyn of Penrhos

My Lords, I welcome the information that the Minister gave to his noble friend. Nevertheless, is it not the case that Britain and the other countries which contribute to the United Nations force in Cyprus are owed large sums of money by other United Nations countries which do not contribute? Will he be good enough to tell the House what is the current accumulated deficit which is owing at present?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, the noble Lord is right. All the other major troop contributors absorb some or all of their own costs. The main UNFICYP account is funded by voluntary contributions by United Nations member states. The account is in deficit by 167 million dollars. We call upon others to support a change to the assessed contributions to put UNFICYP on a sounder financial basis.

Viscount Mersey

My Lords, while it is obviously good news about the hangar, surely my noble friend agrees that the news would be even better if the green line in Cyprus disappeared altogether? It is nearly as nasty a thing as the inter-German border. Will my noble friend update the House on the state of play between Mr. Denktas and President Vassiliou and whether the reunification of Cyprus is on the horizon?

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, President Vassiliou and Mr. Denktas agreed at a meeting with the United Nations Secretary-General on 6th April to prepare a draft outline settlement by the end of May. We continue to hope that substantial progress can be made.

Viscount Hanworth

My Lords, does the Minister agree that were one to withdraw the United Nations from the border, a serious border incident might occur; and that might have have far-reaching effects? For the moment at least it is vital to keep that force there.

Lord Glenarthur

My Lords, yes. I agree with the noble Viscount.