HC Deb 07 February 1972 vol 830 cc257-8W
101. Sir G. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list those members of the United Nations Organisation who are two years or more in arrears with their mandatory contributions at the latest convenient date.

Mr. Godber

As at 1st January, 1972, the following 12 Members were two or more years in arrears:

  • Bolivia
  • Bulgaria
  • Burundi
  • China
  • Dominican Republic
  • Equador
  • Guinea
  • Haiti
  • Nicaragua
  • Paraguay
  • Peru
  • Uruguay

Sir G. Longden

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the current financial situation of the United Nations Organisation.

Mr. Godber

At the end of 1971, the current deficit of the United Nations, taking into account surplus balances owed to certain Member States, was of the order of $70 million. In addition, there is outstanding the unamortised portion of the United Nations bond issue amounting to around $113 million. The deficit arises largely from the refusal of certain Member States to pay their assessed share towards the Middle East and Congo peacekeeping operations and towards the annual cost of servicing the bond issue. Unpaid contributions to the United Nations regular budget totalled $61.4 million at 31st December, 1971. A Special Committee of 15 has been set up to examine the financial situation of the United Nations and the United Kingdom is a member.

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