§ Mr. BoswellTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development whether her Department takes the lead in policies connected with UK membership of UNESCO; and if she will make a statement concerning co-operation with other Government Departments in this matter. [56336]
§ Clare ShortMy Department is the sponsoring Department for UK relations with UNESCO. It pays the UK's share of UNESCO's assessed budget. The Government's top priority for UNESCO is the achievement of the millennium development goals for education. We co-ordinate closely and regularly with other UK Government Departments and with the parallel Departments in the devolved Administrations with an interest in UNESCO's work.