HL Deb 21 February 2005 vol 669 c154WA
Lord Judd

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action they are taking to ensure that additional and adequate resources are provided to an appropriately restructured Department of Political Affairs in the United Nations in order to provide more consistent and professional mediatory support. [HL1235]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

The UK has welcomed the publication of the report of the high-level panel on threats, challenges and change, which makes this recommendation.

Restructuring of the Department of Political Affairs, particularly to provide professional mediatory support, is important as part of an overall programme of reform of the United Nations. As the panel report makes clear, details of such a restructuring should be left to the United Nations Secretary-General, but we have consistently supported his efforts since his appointment to improve the Secretariat. We look forward to his follow up report in March, when we will be able to assess the budgetary implications and whether these are cost-effective.