§ Sir Michael MarshallTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what arrangements his Department has made to assist right hon. and hon. Members to participate in the working of United Nations institutions.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe welcome the participation of parliamentarians in the work of the United Nations. There 699W are particular areas in which the extensive experience and tradition of democracy of the hon. and right hon. Members of this House can be of benefit. I am thinking of the growing significance of the United Nation's role in election monitoring and in providing support to emerging parliaments. We are pleased to see an example of this in the assistance the Inter-Parliamentary Union has given to the United Nations Development Programme. We remain willing to assist hon. Members of this House to participate in such areas. In addition, the Foreign and Commonwealth Office arranges an annual visit for Members of Parliament to the United Nations General Assembly. The next visit will take place early in 1993.