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Annex B
CECH BY MR BRYAN GOULD MP, LEADER OF UK DELEGATION TO UNHOR
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE, 10 OCTOBER, 1978
I should like to begin by congratulating you Mr Chairman and your colleagues on your election to your offices for the forthcoming year and to say how much my delegation have appreciated the devoted services of the retiring Chairman, Ambassador Cappelen. I also pay tribute to the new High Commissioner, Mr Hartling, and to his predecessor, Prince Saddrudin Aga Khan, who retired last December after twelve years of distinguished service. My Government were delighted to welcome Mr Hartling to London as their guest in June. I listened with care to his excellent address to the Committee.
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My Government have been consistent and ardent supporters of UNHCR and this is testified by our financial contributions to its work. So far during 1978 we have contributed over $11 million to the general and special programmes. This does not include our share of the contribution of the European Community. I am pleased to be able to announce that, subject to Parliamentary approval, the United Kingdom contribution to the General Programme for 1979 will be £3.5 million, equivalent to some $7 million and representing nearly 8% of the estimated requirements of the General Programme. The contribution is considerably in excess of our previous contributions but it naturally takes account of the proposed absorption of the cost of activities previously funded from Special Operations into the General Programme, a step which my Government welcome. We very much agree with the High Commissioner that everything should be done to increase the small number of governments which make contributions to the UNHCR. I also welcome his proposal for 3-year planning periods.
Whilst on the subject of finance, I would like to congratulate the Office on the expeditious manner in which they have dealt with the recommendations made by the auditors in earlier years. I would emphasise the importance we attach to the recommendations which the auditors have made concerning the 1977 accounts and I am confident that the Office will take steps to improve those procedures which have been found to be unsatisfactory or inadequate.
I would like to pay tribute to the excellent work done for refugees by voluntary agencies throughout the world. I know that
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/the British