HC Deb 04 July 1955 vol 543 cc68-9W
68. Sir R. Conant

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether Her Majesty's Government now propose to make a contribution to the fund of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees for the year 1955.

Mr. Nutting

I am glad to announce that, subject to Parliamentary approval, Her Majesty's Government propose to make a contribution of £100,000 to the United Nations High Commissioner's Fund for 1955. £80,000 will be made available as an outright contribution; and a further £20,000 will be paid if the total of contributions for 1955, including the United Kingdom's own contribution, reaches 3.25 million dollars.

The House will be asked to approve a Supplementary Estimate to cover the full amount of £100,000.

Mr. Irving

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Aflairs what amounts have been subscribed by Her Majesty's Government for refugee aid since the establishment by the United Nations of a High Commissioner for Refugees.

Mr. Nutting

Since the establishment of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner in 1951, Her Majesty's Government have contributed £100,000 to the United Nations Refugee Emergency Fund. This Fund was superseded on the 1st January, 1955, by the fund of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

In addition to the direct contribution mentioned above. Her Majesty's Government also contribute indirectly to the administrative budget of the United Nations High Commissioner which is paid for from United Nations funds. Up to the end of 1954, Her Majesty's Government contributed approximately £80,000 under this heading.

The hon. Member will have seen from the reply which I have given today to the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Sir R. Conant) that Her Majesty's Government also propose to contribute to the United Nations High Commissioner's Fund in 1955.