TNAG-1542-FCO40-2106-United-Nations-High-Commissioner-for-Refugees-(UNHCR)-Execut-1986 — Page 87

CONFIDENTIAL

Ref No DIS 305/01

THIRTY SEVENTH SESSION OF THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE UNITED NATIONS HIGH COMMISSIONER FOR REFUGEES

Briet 5 in)

SUB-COMMITTEE ON ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL MATTERS

ITEM 2 (d)

DOC EC/SC 2/30

Conditions of Service in the Field: Note on the use of the Revolving Fund for Field Staff Housing and Basic Amenities

UK Aims

i.

To ensure that the fund is operated in the most effective way.

Line to Take

fincome

ii. Grateful for breakdown of expenditure to end

of 1985, although it would have been helpful to have details of estimated expenditure and income in 1986/7.

iii. Pleased to see that income from rental deductions effected in 1984 and 1985 has now reached US $146,904. Last year only US $2,675 was credited to the Fund. We note that a further US $220,423 was spent in 1985. When is this expected to be recovered?

iv. Still seems to be little scope for recirculating funds of any significance. We remamanconvinced of need for a US $3 million cash limit, particularly since the "increasing demands" envisaged have not materialised in 1985. Does this lack of increase indicate scope for reduction in the Fund in future years?

V. Can UNHCR provide details about the cancellation of prior year's obligations and about criteria for the UN rental deduction formula.

Background

vi. At the 1983 EXCOM we had serious reservations about the introudction of an expensive new scheme (US $3m). We did not oppose the proposal, which was for an experimental period of 2 years, provided, an interim report was presented to EXCOM 1984. We expressed a wish to see a reduced cash limt of US $1m per annum accepted. At 36 EXCOM in October 1985 the continuation of the Fund and an increase in its working capital was approved (up to a ceiling of US $3 million). The anitiopated increased demands on the Fund have not yet materialised. It may be premature to suggest a reduction but we should bear in mind the possibility of a reduction in future years. A revolving fund is intended to be self-financing.

vii. We need further details about the criteria used for the UN rental deduction formula, witha view to raising the return to the fund from the rental for accommoda- tion budget line.

Disaster & Refugee Unit

Bilateral Co-ordination Department, ODA

23 September 1986

CONFIDENTIAL