United Nations Relief and Works Agency

HC Deb 02 December 1985 vol 88 cc21-2W

Mr. Faulds

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the direct United Kingdom contribution to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (a) in sterling and dollars at the prevailing rate of exchange for each year from 1979 to date and (b) as a percentage of the total budget from 1979 to date; and what will be the sterling contribution, and as anticipated in dollars, for 1986.

Mr. Raison

The Government's direct contributions to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency since 1979 were as follows:

	British Contribution	Percentage total budget
	£million	$ million
1979	4.4	9.34	5.61
1980	4.5	10.47	4.96
1981	5.0	10.14	4.25
1982	4.0	7.00	2.64
1983	5.0	7.58	3.65
1984	6.0	8.02	3.96
1985	5.0	6.53	3.47

At the United Nations pledging conference earlier this month we announced a pledge of £5 million to UNRWA for 1986. This is subject to parliamentary approval. It is not possible to forecast the 1986 sterling-dollar exchange rate.