HC Deb 03 May 1968 vol 763 c249W
Mr. Whitaker

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will propose further steps at the United Nations to strengthen a United Nations Emergency Relief Organisation to enable immediate aid to be brought to major disasters in the world.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

This subject will be considered later this year, in preparation for the 23rd Session of the General Assembly, when the Secretary-General is expected to report on the working of the arrangements approved by the General Assembly at its 20th Session. As my hon. Friend the then Minister of State told my hon. Friend on 29th November, 1966, new procedures for co-ordinating United Nations assistance in cases of natural disaster were authorised by the General Assembly in December, 1965, and the Secretary-General can call upon a fund of $100,000 for emergency aid in any one year.—[Vol. 737, c. 69–70.]