HC Deb 18 December 1972 vol 848 c268W
71. Sir Gilbert Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why the United Kingdom voted against the General Assembly Resolution in favour of the United Towns Organisation at the last General Assembly of the United Nations.

Mr. Kershaw

Since the success of twinning partnerships depends on the enthusiasm of local authorities Her Majesty's Government considered that their promotion should be in the hands of the people concerned and not subject to direction by an international organisation. There were in our view more important projects requiring the use of limited United Nations development funds.

Twenty-seven countries abstained from voting and the United States, Canada and New Zealand voted against it in addition to ourselves.