HL Deb 25 January 1996 vol 568 c88WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they are aware of any monies currently owed to the United Nations by the United States; and, if so, how much and what steps are they taking to ensure payment.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

At 15 December 1995, the United States owed the United Nations over $1.23 billion in outstanding assessed contributions (i.e., $414 million to the UN Regular Budget and $816 million to UN peacekeeping budgets).

We continue to emphasise in contacts with the US Administration and Congress, including at ministerial level, that the US has a legal obligation under the UN Charter to pay its assessed contributions promptly and in full.

We have also put forward proposals for reform of the UN scales of assessment which are designed to resolve the existing anomalies and to lead to a fairer, more transparent scale. We hope that a negotiated agreement on a reform of the scales on these lines would provide the basis for the US to clear its outstanding arrears and pay its assessed contributions.