HC Deb 19 May 1994 vol 243 cc553-4W
Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consideration his Department has given to policy relating to the financing of United Nations peacekeeping operations; what discussions he has had with his United Nations counterparts on this issue; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The costs of United Nations peackeeping operations are shared among member states according to the United Nations peacekeeping scale of assessments. The United Kingdom pays 6.373 per cent. of costs on the scale. The United Nations peacekeeping scale of assessment is in need of reform, as the 1992 report by the high level expert group—Volcker/Ogata—made clear. Some limited changes were agreed at last year's general assembly. We are now working with other like-minded states to try and identify a more general solution to the problems of the scale.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consideration he has given to the United Nations study on a proposed International Satellite Monitoring Agency contained in United Nations document A/AC. 206.14.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The United Nations study on a proposed international satellite monitoring agency was considered by the 38th general assembly in 1983. The proposal was not adopted.

Dr. David Clark

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent consideration he has given to article 24 of the United Nations charter; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

The changed situation of the world following the ending of the cold war has enabled the Security Council to carry out its duties more effectively than before. The council has already made arrangements to make its annual report to the general assembly more timely and readable.