§ Keith VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the potential move of the United Nations London headquarters to another European capital. [89024]
§ Mr. RammellAs much UN information is available on-line, the United Nations Secretary- General in his report of 23 September 2002, "Strengthening of the United Nations", recommended the rationalisation of UN Information Centres in Western Europe, with their work being taken on by a single regional "hub". We believe the London UN Information Centre does an excellent job in promoting the UN in the UK. But we also fully support the Secretary-General's Reform report, which we believe will help to achieve a more efficient UN with resources focussed on priority activities. The proposed rationalisation of UN information centres will result in savings, which will be reallocated to those parts of the world with less access to information technology.
A decision on the location of the Western Europe regional "hub" is not due until late 2003. The decision is for the Secretary-General to take. We would, of course, be delighted if London was chosen.