§ Sir John StanleyTo ask the Parliamentary Secretary, Lord Chancellor's Department whether the Government will be making a contribution to the Hague Conference Supplementary Budget XLVIII (2002–2003) for the conference's continuing work on international child abduction; and if he will make a statement. [88185]
§ Ms Rosie WintertonThe Government will not be making a contribution towards the Hague Conference Supplementary Budget XLVIII (2002–2003). The Hague Conference Supplementary Budget came into being last year XLVII (2001–2002) when member states of the Hague Conference were invited to make a voluntary contribution towards the additional funding needed to reinforce the administration, monitoring and support for existing conventions, particularly the Children's Conventions. Last year XLVII (2001–2002) the UK was in a position to make a voluntary contribution to the Supplementary Budget and arranged for contributions of €30,600.42 (England and Wales) and €1,601.28 (Northern Ireland) to be made over and above the standard UK contribution of €110,290.62. After the Netherlands the UK was the leading donor of supplemental payments during that year.
58WThe Hague Conference carried forward the Supplementary Budget into year XLVIII (2002–2003). Again this was based on voluntary payments since the budget had not been submitted to the Council for approval. The expected UK budgetary contribution of £117,580.65 was paid in full in early August but this year we are not in a position to make any additional voluntary payment.
The Government supports strongly the work of the Hague Conference and the expansion of its activities. The Supplementary Budget will be assumed into the standard contributions for the next financial year and the appropriate arrangements have been made to ensure that the UK will be in a position to make its full contribution.