STANDING COMMITTEE ON ADMUíISTRATIOIíЛШ) Г1ЕЖСЕ МПГОТЕБ OF THE SIXTH MEETING. Palais des Nations^ Geneva Wednesday, 7 June 19.^0/ at 2.30 p.

Transcription

1 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXECUTIVE BOARD Sixth Session ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTÉ E36/AF/Min/6 Eev.l 22 November 1950 OEIGIÏÏAL: ENGLISH RESTRICTED STANDING COMMITTEE ON ADMUíISTRATIOIíЛШ) Г1ЕЖСЕ МПГОТЕБ OF THE SIXTH MEETING Palais des Nations^ Geneva Wednesday, 7 June 19.^0/ at 2.30 p.eu CONTENTS 1» Report of official travel from 1 January to 31 May Date of next session of the Standing Committee

2 EB6/AF/Min/5 Rev.l page 2 Sixth Meeting Wednesday j 7 June 19 r )0j at 2,30 p.m. Present! Designating Country; Sir Arcot MUDALIAE^СЬа1гшл Dr. W. de LEON^ Vice-Chairiaan Dr. ERADÏ (alternate to Dr. Hydo) Professor M. De LAET Dr» EAE (alternate to Dr. Mackenzie) Dr. A. STAMPAE India Philippines United States of America Netherlands United Kingdom Yugoslavia Secretary : Mr. Milton P. Siegel, Assistant Director-General^ Department of Administration and Finance

3 EB6/AF/Min/5 Rev.l page 3 1 REPORT OF OFFICIAL ТВ1ЖЪ FROM 1 ЛШШЖ 1950 TO 31 WiY 1950s Item 36.3 of the Executive Board 1 s Agonda (DocmientЕВб/ДР/З) The СНШМШ introduced document EB6/AF/3, prepared by the Secretariat at the request of Дг. Stampar. Dr. STAMPAR fully recognized that the authorization of travel was the responsibility of the Director-General. He was convinced, however, that the Director-General would not resent the interest taken by the Standing Committee in expenditure on travel. From the document before the meeting it appeared that two people wore sometimes sent to the same country тйгеп the work could, -with a little arrangement, be done by one. The DIRECTOR-GENERilL said, in reply to specific points raised by Dr. STAMPâH, that an administrativo officer had attended the VfflO/UNICEF meeting in Bangkok, where the presence of a WHO representativo was essential, and where the problems were all of an administrative nature. The same officer had attended the conference of Southern Pacific countries. Although much of tho discussion at that conferonce had related to administrative subjects, it would have been preferable to have sent a medical officcr, but to have sent a staff member from headquarters would have meant additional expenditure, and there was no WHO representative in the area who could be spared from his post. The Director of the Epidemiological Station in Singapore could not get away, since it had boon impossible to provide him -with an assistant. The ideal solution would have boen to send two officers 一 one administrative and one technical - and the final solution had been reached as a compromise.

4 SB6/ùF/Min/6 Rev 1 PAGE 4 ; Í The visit of the Assistant Director-General, Advisory Services, to New York had been cn important work for tho Orf-anization; the receiving of the award made to ТОЮ by the firm of Lord and Taylor was merely incidental. In the same way the lectures given by the Director-General in the United States during his visit in March had not been the main purpose of his visit. In reply to a question by Mr. îells, adviser to Dr, Mackenzie, as to whether the amounts given included subsistence allowance, Mr. SIEGEL, Secretary, reminded the committee that they had agreed to accept ostimated figures, in view of the speed with which the document must be prepared; the estimates had been designed to includo both transportation cost and subsistence allowance^ but since they were estimates the actual amount spent micht have been greater or smaller. The reasons given for journeys were necessarily, summarized; given more time, the Secretariat would have been able to produce a more comprehensive report. The CHAIRMAN appreciated the fact that visits by the heads of departments, and in particular by the Director-General, теге in the best interests of the Organization and that no obstacle should be placed in the way of such visits. As regards travel by other staff members, he felt it might be possible to arrange them so that unnecessary additional expenditure was not incurred. It should be possible for members of the Regional Offices to attend conferences mthin their area as WHO representatives or observers. The regional staff was capable of such work anc! responsible staff at headquarters should not be spared for it. The DIRECTOR-GENERAL said that invitations to conferences etc. were beginninc to causo the Organization some embarrassment, and he was glad to have

5 EB6/ii.F/Min/6.Rov.l page 5 the Standing Committee's support in the matter. The Organization could accept only a few of the invitations to be present as observers or to take part in the many conferences; it had to be content with asking for tho documentation of the meeting. That meant, however, that such conferences did not have the benefit of hearing TOO 1 s point of view; it would be an advantage if T/HO had the financial resources for more contact with such groups. Or. STAMPAR thought that in many cases, since nothing came of the conferences in question, the Organization would be better advised not to send observers. The money could better be spent in visiting national organizations. He emphasized that any criticism made by the committee was in a spirit of friendly advice. 2. D/i.TE OF NEXT SESSION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE The CHAIHMA.N noted the proposal that the Standing Committee should meet two weeks before the following session of the Executive Board. He himself was» of the opinion that the date depended very much on the amount of work the committee'would have before it. He suggested that the Director-General, in consultation with the Chairman, should fix the date of the session when the amount of work was known. The SECRETARY reminded the meeting that the programme for the next session would be very heavy. Experience at the fifth session had shown that there would be sufficient work to occupy two weeks.

6 ЕВб/AF/Miii/ó fíova page 6 Dr ', altornate to Dr, Mackenzie, thought the Chairman's prdposal would cover all contingencies.. * Дг. STAMPAR emphasized the difficulties members had in lsaving their : countries for long periods; but the seriousness of the work before them required» it. It was extremely difficult for the Standine Committee to moot during the session of the full Board.. The сашты noted that the committee must meet tho follcwing morning to consider its final report. Decision; It was agreocl that the Director-General, in consultation with the Chairman, should fix the ciato of the followinc; session of the Standing CoimnittGQ on Administration and Finance. The meeting rose at 3.10 p.m.

7 UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION EXSCUTIVE BOARD Sixth Session ORGANISATION MONDIALE DE LA SANTE EB6/AF/Min/6 7 June 1950 ORIGINAL: RESTRICTED ENGLISH STANDING COMMITTEE ON,.DMINISTR,iTIOF AND FINANCE PROVISIONAL MINUTES OF THE SIXTH MEETING Palais des Nations, Geneva Wednesday, 7 June 1950, at 2.30 p.m. CONTENTS 1. Report of official travel from 1 January to 31 May Date of next session Note; Corrections to these provisional minutes should be submitted in writing tothe Editor, Official Records, Division of Editorial and Reference Services, World Health Organization, Palais des Nations, Geneva, Switzerland, before 31 July 1950.

8 EB6/AF/Min/6. Pag? Я...v. v..,. :.:, ; - ^ _. :, t Sixth Meeting Wednesday, 7 June 1950, at 2.30 p.m. Present:.Sir Arcot MróALIAR, Chairman Dr. W. de LEON, Vice-Chairman., 'Dr. BRAHC, alternate to Dr. ííyde Professor M. Be LAET Dr. RilE, alternate to Dr. Mackenzie Dr. A. STAMPAR Designating Country: India Philippines United States of America Netherlands United Kingdom Yugoslavia Secretary: Mr. Milton P. Siegel, Assistant Director-General, Department of Administrât ion and Finance

9 EB6/AFA'lin/6 page 3 1. REPORT OF OFFICIEL TRAVEL FROM 1 JANUARY 1950 TO 31 MY 1950: Item 36.3 of the Agenda (Document EB6/AF/3) The CHáIRMAN introduced document EB6/AF/3, prepared by the Secretariat at the request of Dr. Stampar. Dr. STAMPAR fully recognized that the authorization of travel was the responsibility of the Director-General. He was convinced, however, that the Director-General would not resent the interest taken by the Standing Committee in expenditure on travel. From the document before the meeting it appeared that two people were sometimes sent to the same country when the work could, with a little arrangement, be done by one. The DIRECTOR-GENERAL said, in reply to specific points raised by Dr. Stampar that an administrative officer had attended the ШО/ШЮЕБ 1 meeting in Bangkok, where the presence of a WHO representative was essential, and where the problems were all of an administrative nature. the conference of Southern Pacific countries. The same officer had attended Although much of the discussion at that conference had related to administrative subjects, it would have been preferable to have sont a medical officer, but to have sent a staff member from headquarters would have meant additional expenditure, and there was no WHO representative in the area who could be spared from his post. The Director of the Epidemiological Station in Singapore could not get away, since it had been impossible to provide him with an assistant. The ideal solution would have been to send two officers - one administrative and one technical - and the final solution had been reached as a compromise.

10 EB6AFAin/6 page 4 The visit of the Assistant Director-fí^neral,Advisory Services,, to New York had been on important work for the Organization; tho receiving of the award made to WHO by the firm of Lord and Taylor was merely incidentalc In the same way the lectures given by the Director-General in the United States during his visit in March had not been the main purpose of his visit. In reply to a question by Mr. MELLS, adviser to.dr0 Mackenzie as to whether the amounts given included subsistence allowancej, Mr, SIEQELf Assistant Director-General, Departrient of Administration and Finance5 reminded the.committee that they had agreed to accept estimated figures) in view of the speed with which the document must be prepared; the estimates had been designed to include both transportation cost and subsistence allowance? but since they were estimates the actual amount spent might have been greater or smaller. The reasons given for journeys were necessarily summarised; given more tine, the Secretariat would have been able to produce a more comprehensive report» The СН 1ШШ appreciated the fact that visits by the heads of departments, and. la- paî-ticular by the- Director-General^ were in the best interests of the Organization and that no obstacle should be placed in the way of such visits. A s regards travel by other staff members, he felt it might be possible to arrange them so that unnecessary additional expenditure was not incurred. It should be possible for members of the Regional Offices to attend conferences within their area as WHO representatives or observers. The regional staff was capable of such work and responsible staff at headquarters should not be spared ;for it, The DIREGTOR-GENERA.L said that invitations to conferences etc. were beginning to cause the Organization some embarrassment^ and was glad to iiave

11 EB6/AF/MÍn/4 page 5 the Standing Committee's support in the matter. The Organization could accept only a few of the invitations to be present as observers or to take part in the many conferences; it had to be content with asking for the documentation of the meeting. That meant, however, that such conferences did not have the benefit of hearing TOO's point of view; it would be an advantage if WHO had the financial resources for more contact with such groups Dr. STAMPAR thought that in many cases, since nothing came of the conferences in question, the Org^ization would be better advised not to send observers. The money could better be spent in visiting national orgaflizations. He emphasized that any criticism made by the committee was in a spirit of friendly advice, 2. DATE OF FOLLOWING SESSION OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE The СШШМ/Ш noted the proposal that the Standing Committee should meet two weeks before the following session of the Executive Board. He himself was o f t h e opinion that the date depended very much on the amount of work the committee would have before it, He suggested that the Director-General, in consultation with the Ohairman, should fix the date of the session when the amount of work was known. Mr. SIEGEL reminded the meeting that the programme for the next session, would be very heavy. Experience at the fifth session had shown that there would be sufficient work to occupy two weeks.

12 EBó/AF/ilin/ó page 6 Dr. RAE, alternate to Dr. Mackenzie, thought the Chairman's proposal would 5 cover all contingencies. The committee would certainly not advise shorter time than was necessary, Dr - STAMPAR emphasized the difficulties members had in leaving their countries for long periods; but the seriousness of the work before him required it. It was extremely difficult for the Standing Comnitteo to meet during the session of the full Board. The СШШШШ noted that the committee must meet the following morning to consider its final report. Deoisionî It was agreed that the Director-General, in consultation with the Chairman, should fix the date of the following session of the Standing Committee on Administration and Finance. The meeting rose at 3.10 p.m»