§ Mr. Peter BottomleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his estimate of the gross and net costs of rejoining UNESCO.
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§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAt current rates of exchange, we estimate that our UNESCO assessed contribution for the remainder of 1993 would be about £5.8 million and that our advance payment to the organisation's working capital fund would be about £610,000.
We estimate our assessed contribution in 1994 would be about £10.6 million and the advance to working capital fund almost £200,000.
There would also be additional costs as a consequence of staff increases in London and Paris. We estimate these could amount to £250,000 a year. It is not possible to estimate any compensating financial benefits resulting from United Kingdom membership.
§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he expects to announce a decision on rejoining UNESCO.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydWe are keeping under close review a possible resumption of our UNESCO membership, but are not able to say when a decision might be taken.