HC Deb 08 May 1996 vol 277 c147W
Mr. Tony Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with officials of the United Nations and the United States about the UN budget deficit. [28242]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor

We are in close and regular contact with both partners in the UN and with UN officials. A package of measures, including UK proposals for reform of the UN's scales of assessment, has been adopted by the EU and put forward in UN discussions.

Mr. Lloyd

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about the UN budget deficit. [28243]

Sir Nicholas Bonsor

In a recent update of his forecast of the UN financial situation for the rest of the year, Under Secretary-General Joseph Connor predicted an overall positive cash balance of $388 million for the end of 1996. In the meantime, pending receipts of arrears promised for the autumn, it will, however, be necessary for the UN to cross-borrow again from its peacekeeping accounts to finance regular budget activities.