International Year of the Child

HC Deb 22 January 1979 vol 961 cc7-9W

Mrs. Renée Short

asked the Minister of Overseas Development what action she is taking to support the international year of the child.

with the reports of the Joint Committee on Consolidation, &c. Bills, of the Joint Committee and Select Committee on Statutory Instruments or of the Select Committee on European Legislation &c., which are numerous and are not normally specifically debated in the House.

Mrs. Hart

Our contribution to UNICEF's regular budget has been increased by £1.3 million to £5.8 million in 1979. In addition, we have contributed £150,000 over three years towards the cost of the international secretariat for the international year of the child established by UNICEF in New York.

We have made a grant of £40,000 towards a seminar run by the Institute of Child Health, in London, to consider how best school-age children in developing countries could concern themselves with the welfare of younger children. We hope also to give financial assistance towards projects for children in developing countries put forward by the United Kingdom voluntary organisations. But, of course, the whole emphasis of all our aid strategy is to create better conditions for the children of the world.