§ Captain Kerbyasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government regarding the contributions to the United Nations arising from its operations in the Congo, which are due from member States but which are unpaid; and what proposals he has for making a further British contribution.
§ Mr. P. ThomasI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the Answer which I gave to the hon. Members for Woolwich, East and East Ham, North on 13th April. Our policy is that all countries should honour their financial obligations under the Charter. As far as peacekeeping expenses, such as those incurred in the Congo, are concerned, our attitude is reinforced by the Advisory Opinion of the International Court of Justice of July, 1962, subsequently endorsed by the General Assembly. The Court adjudged that the costs of the peace-keeping operations in the Middle East (U.N.E.F.) and Congo (O.N.U.C.) were "expenses of the Organisation" within the meaning of Article 17(2) of the Charter. My right hon. Friend hopes to have the opportunity to discuss this and related questions with the Soviet Government during his visit to Moscow.
United Nations military operations in the Congo came to an end on 30th June. As regards the United Nations civil assistance programme, we have pledged £178,500 ($500,000) as our contribution for the current year in response to the Secretary-General's appeal for funds.