HC Deb 13 December 1985 vol 88 cc785-6W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if, pursuant to the answer of 5 December, Official Report, column 450, he will list the further actions which would need to be carried through by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation for Her Majesty's Government to consider rejoining the organisation.

Mr. Raison

Before considering rejoining UNESCO we would need to be convinced that the organisation had adopted thoroughgoing and comprehensive reforms and that all member states and the secretariat were once again fully committed to working towards its constitutional aims and objectives.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens presently work for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation; what effect United Kingdom withdrawal will have on their employment; and what action he has taken to safeguard their interests.

Mr. Raison

About 225 British citizens are currently employed by UNESCO. The withdrawal of Britain from membership of the organisation will not affect their terms of employment as international civil servants.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what effect United Kingdom withdrawal from the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation will have on British citizens who are United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation scholarship holders and on overseas United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation scholarship holders within the United Kingdom.

Mr. Raison

At the moment there are no British citizens who are UNESCO scholarship holders. I know of no reason why the interests of UNESCO scholars at present at British institutions should be affected by our withdrawal. It is for UNESCO to decide its future policy on sending UNESCO scholars to Britain.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will specify which of the reforms mentioned in his letter to the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation of 5 December 1984 have not been implemented or tackled; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Raison

I refer the hon. Member to my statement to the House on 22 November at columns 517–25.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list all representations received by Her Majesty's Government which (a) approved and (b) disapproved of the United Kingdom's decision to withdraw from UNESCO, specifying, in each case, the country from which the representation came.

Mr. Raison

I refer the hon. Member to the reply given on 12 December to my hon. Friend the Member for Welwyn Hatfield (Mr. Murphy) at column707.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs whether the conditions under which Her Majesty's Government would be prepared to rejoin UNESCO have been transmitted to UNESCO; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Raison

No. I refer the hon. Member to my reply to him on 11 December.