HC Deb 10 June 2002 vol 386 cc979-80W
Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what action the Government have taken in relation to breaches of OPCW financial regulations by other member states. [57680]

Nigel Griffiths

The UK takes every opportunity in the OPCW Executive Council and also in private contacts to draw to the attention of states parties the need to pay their assessments in full and on time.

Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, pursuant to the answer of 9 May 2002,Official Report, column 304W, what Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons regulation permits the delay of payments by the US, Germany and Japan beyond the first day of the financial period to which they relate. [57679]

Nigel Griffiths

Financial Regulation 5.4 requires payment of contributions to the OPCW budget within 30 days of receipt of the notice of assessment or the first day of the financial period (1 January), whichever is the later. It has, however, been the practice of some member

states to make staged payments or their entire payment at different times of the year to fit in with budgetary cycles or for other reasons.

40 of the 145 states parties, including the UK, paid their 2002 assessment by early January. At 15 May this had risen to 69 (including the USA). Germany has made a partial payment and is expected to pay in full by mid-year. Japan is expected to pay in full by mid-year.