from7to14thenumberofSecretariat personnel involved, contrary tothe understanding reached bytheCommittee atitstwenty-fourth session whenthematter wasdiscussed inthecontext oftheproposed revisions tothemedium-term plan. Theydidnotagreethattherewasaneedorjustification forsuchanextension or increase. Theyalsoraisedquestions regarding thequality oftheproducts ofthe service andtheeditorial integrity ofthecontents ofthebulletins. Inresponse, therepresentative oftheSecretary-General explained thatthestaffwereneededto prepare, onashiftbasis,thefourdailybulletins, thedailypressreviewandthe weeklynewssummary, theyalsoscreened anddistributed, threetimesaday,the information received bytelexfromtheUnitedNations information centres throughout theworldandthenewsreceived fremthesevenwireservices, whichwere alsodistributed threetimesaday. 51.Several delegations raisedquestions onthecriteria andmethods usedforthe establishment ofpriorities, andthedistribution ofresources relating to programme elements ofhighest andlowestpriority. Itwasnotedthat11ofthe 12programme elements insubprogramme 1(Security Council andpolitical committee activities) hadbeenattributed highest priority. TheDirector oftheBudget Division explained thatintheareasofpolitical activities itwasdifficult for theprogramme managers todesignate priorities. Someprogress hadbeenmadeand efforts wouldcontinue. 52.Onedelegation questioned theneedfortheinclusion intheprogramme budget forthebiennium 1986-1987 ofprogramme element 1.9(GroupofGovernmental Experts onInternational Co-operation toAvertNewFlowsofRefugees) andprogramme element 1.11(AdHocCommittee ontheImplementation oftheCollective Security Provisions oftheCharter oftheUnitedNations fortheMaintenance of International PeaceandSecurity). Someotherdelegations statedthatprogramme element 1.9shouldberetained. -11.-:.) "iL53.Somedelegations expressed concern aboutthepolicyofrentalandmaintenance ofequipment (seeparas.2A.16,2A.18,2A.20,2A.27and2A.51)andalsoofthecost ofthesoftware. TheDirector oftheBudgetDivision explained thatthecostsof renting versuspurchasing -andthecostsoftheaccompanying software -hadbeen studied carefully. Thedecision topurchase reflected thefactthatpurchasing was moreeconomical thanrenting. Apaperonthematterwouldbemadeavailable tothe Committee. 54.Twodelegations questioned theincrease inresources forexternal printing contained inparagraph 2A.5.Inreply,therepresentative oftheBudgetDivision explained thatthenumberofpagesofdocumentation hadnearlydoubled (from14,000 to26,000) between thetwobienniums, atacostof$125,500, andthatthecostof issuingofficial records oftheSecurity Council inArabicwas$300,000. 55.Several delegations questioned theneedforandthewording ofthe intermediate outputofprogramme element 2.2(Promotion ofpeace,including co-ordination oftheInternational YearofPeace). 56.Itwasagreedthatthequestion ontheperiodicity oftheAdHocCommittee on theIndianOceanwouldbetakenupduringthediscussion ofsection 2B(Disarmament affairsactivities). 57.Asregards programme element 2.3(Peace,security andco-operation i~thesea andoceanareas), outputs (iii)and(iv),theCOmmittee decided that,inthe absence ofaspecific mandate, reference toactivities relating toAntarctica shouldbedeleted.r 58.Regarding paragraph 2A.30,several delegations raisedquestions about consultants, insisting ontheuseofin-house expertise andonstricter adherence totheprinciple ofgeographical representation. 59.Somedelegations askedforthedeletion ofoutput(ii)(Monthly Surveyof Selected EventsintheMilitarization ofOuterSpaceanditsPrevention) from programme element 3.6(Spaceinformation services). Inresponse, the representative oftheuepartment ofPolitical andSecurity Council Affairs provided additional informaticol pertaining totheinclusion oftheoutput. 60.Withregardtoprogramme 2(Lawoftheseaaffairs) ofsubsection C,one delegation expressed areservation abouttheinclusion ofsubprogramme 4(Servicing thePreparatory Commission fortheInternational Sea-Bed Authority andforthe International Tribunal fortheLawoftheSea). 61.Regarding paragraph 2A.56,somedelegations expressed serious doubtconcerning theneedfortheorganization ofthetwoadhocexpertgroupmeetings withaview tofacilitating theacceptance andconsistent application oftheCOnvention and questioned theirjustification andusefulness.
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the budget and programmatic activities of the United Nations, specifically the Secretariat. It mentions various program elements, outputs, and activities, including the production of bulletins, the screening of information, and the organization of expert group meetings. The text also touches on issues related to the use of consultants, the cost of software, and the need for economies. The tone is formal and technical, suggesting that the text is a report or a summary of a meeting.

**Category**
International relations, Science and technology