HC Deb 02 August 1971 vol 822 cc209-10W
56. Mrs. Hart

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the recent United Nations Economic and Social Council discussion of the Secretary-General's report on a United Nations disaster relief centre.

Mr. Godber

The United Kingdom cosponsored and introduce a draft resolution at the Economic and Social Council directed to co-ordiatingassistance in cases of natural disaster and other emergency situations". It calls on the Secretary-General to appoint a Disaster Relief Co-ordinator who would report direct to him. The Co-ordinator would have a small permanent office which would be the focal point in the United Nations' system for disaster relief matters.

The resolution was adopted by the Council on the 23rd of July by 24 votes with 2 abstentions and will now go forward for consideration at the 26th Session of the General Assembly.

I have arranged for a copy of the resolution to be placed in the Library of the House.