§ Mr. Hooleyasked the Minister for Overseas Development what progress has been made towards a solution of the recent financial problems of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP); and what has been the contribution of the British Government.
§ Mr. PrenticeThe financial situation of the UNDP has improved since the beginning of this year. Careful husbandry remains essential, but it now seems likely that resources will be available to meet the reduced 1976 programme target of US $370 million agreed at the January meeting of the Governing Council, and that some progress has been made towards reducing an anticipated deficit.
The Governments of Sweden, the Netherlands and Norway are making sizeable extra contributions over and above the amounts they had pledged for 1976. The Government of the United States have confirmed that their contribution for 1976 will be US $100 million, 244W an increase of $30 million over their 1975 contribution. A number of donor Governments have also assumed the costs of certain projects bilaterally
Developing countries themselves have taken valuable emergency action to meet the costs of projects threatened with cancellation, and several have increased their contributions. The new Administrator has been able to make substantial savings on administrative costs.
In these circumstances, and within the approved aid programme for this year, I thought it right to offer an increased British contribution. I authorised our representative at the recent meeting of the Governing Council to announce an addition of £3 million to our already pledged contribution of £13 million for 1976. Additionally, I expect to be able to take over or help bilaterally a number of projects that might otherwise have to be deferred or cancelled.