§ Mr. Proctorasked the Minister for Trade (1) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 20 July, what are the estimated running costs of the headquarters of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation; and what proportion of these will be borne by public funds
(2) pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Basildon of 20 July, why it was decided to build the headquarters of the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation in London; whether it is the custom of the country constructing a building for a United Nations specialised agency to bear the full cost thereof; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Sproat[pursuant to his reply, 27 July 1982, c. 480]: The convention on the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organisation—now the International Maritime Organisation—adopted by the United Nations maritime conference in Geneva on 6 March 1948 stipulates that the headquarters of the organisation shall be established in London, with provision for the organisation's assembly to decide to move elsewhere if necessary. The terms of the arrangements for the new building were announced by the last Government on 26 October 1977 in a written answer to a question from the hon. Member for Wallsend (Mr. Garrett).—[Vol. 396, c. 801.]
Arrangements for accommodating different United Nations specialised agencies vary widely, but 100 per cent. financing or initial financing by the host Government, either as direct payment of the cost or through 100 per cent. long-term interest free or very cheap loans, has been common. Since 1958 successive United Kingdom Governments have met 80 per cent. of the cost of the rent of the organisation's London accommodation.