HC Deb 19 December 1984 vol 70 cc192-3W
Sir Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether, as a member of the Contact Group, Her Majesty's Government are currently involved in discussions with the other four member states in the group to seek a solution of the Namibian independence problem.

Mr. Rifkind

We keep in close touch with our Contact Group partners over developments in the current negotiations towards a Namibia settlement. Although we are not actively involved at present, we will, of course, take any further action which we consider would contribute constructively to the negotiations and hasten implementation of Security Council resolution 435.

Sir Dudley Smith

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has as to the exact cost of the recent United Nations Namibia conference held in Bangkok, Thailand; why it was held in Thailand; and if Her Majesty's Government supported this conference in any way.

Mr. Renton

The additional cost resulting from holding the United Nations Namibia conference in Thailand in May this year is estimated by the United Nations Secretariat to be US$570,000. The United Kingdom was opposed to additional financial provision for the conference in Bangkok, on the grounds that this would result in unacceptably high costs, and constituted a departure from the principle that United Nations bodies should normally meet at their established headquarters.

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