§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what additional costs were incurred by the United Kingdom missions to the United Nations in(a) New York and (b) Geneva, since 2 August as a result of the invasion and liberation of Kuwait; and what consideration has been given to increasing the resources available to United Kingdom diplomatic missions to the United Nations.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydIncreases in local costs at the two posts have been offset by savings made elsewhere in their local budgets. Additional staff have been provided on a temporary basis to the missions to help them deal with short-term increases in work load, and we have improved security and communications facilities where necessary.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make it his policy to offer economic assistance to the families of men from the Indian sub-continent killed accidentally by allied military activity in the Gulf war, where evidence exists that the dead civilians were the sole economic provider for the families in Kuwait or the sub-continent.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggNo, although we naturally regret all civilian casualties resulting from the recent hostilities in the 253W Gulf. Security Council resolution 674, which has now been accepted by the Government of Iraq, reminded Iraq of its liability for any loss, damage or injury ensuing in regard to Kuwait and third states and their nationals as a result of its invasion and illegal occupation of Kuwait.
§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what initiatives the United Kingdom intends to take at the United Nations arising from the Gulf war.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are working to ensure the restoration of international peace and security in the area in keeping with the relevant Security Council resolutions.