asked Her Majesty's Government:What steps are being taken within the United Nations in view of the refusal of the United States to pay their mandatory contributions.

A number of proposals on financial reform are being tabled. We strongly support the European Union proposal to tighten the penalties on non-payers, accelerate the payment of arrears, reform the scales of assessment and tighten the controls on UN expenditure. In our view, a negotiated solution should respect the principle of capacity to pay.