HC Deb 13 October 1943 vol 392 cc860-1
20. Miss Rathbone

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he is in a position to make a statement regarding the work of the Inter-Governmental Refugee Committee and the share which His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom proposes to take in it?

Mr. Law

The Inter-Governmental Committee is an international committee composed of a number of Member States of which Great Britain is one. It will be recalled that its activities were revived and extended as a result of the recommendations of the Bermuda Conference. This country is represented by my Noble Friend the Member for Horsham and Worthing (Earl Winterton), who was chosen as Chairman of the Executive Committee by his colleagues on it. The Committee is now at work with a directorate and secretariat. Its Executive Committee holds periodical meetings and will, I understand, shortly issue a statement regarding its activities. I anticipate that the House will be asked to vote the funds for His Majesty's Government's share in the expenditure of the Committee. Hon. Members will thus have the opportunity of obtaining further information about the participation of His Majesty's Government in the work and projects of the Committee.

Miss Rathbone

Is there any intention to re-constitute the executive of the Inter-Governmental Committee in view of the fact that it was elected seven years ago and does not contain representatives of several of the countries most closely concerned with refugees, both as countries of persecution and as countries of rescue?

Mr. Law

The Executive Committee is already in operation and has had one or two meetings. With regard to strengthening the Committee, there is a good deal in the point the hon. Lady raises, but that is a matter that must be left to the Executive Committee. It is not one in which we can interfere.

Mr. Silverman

Which nations are now represented on the Committee and which members have seats on the Executive Committee?

Mr. Law

It would be inappropriate to say that now, because it is a very long list, but it was given by my right hon. Friend in answer to a Question on 22nd September. I will send the hon. Member a copy of it.

Miss Rathbone

Is it not curious that the question whether the Committee should be strengthened should be left to the Committee, because it obviously concerns countries most of which are not represented and therefore the Executive Committee can hardly be held to be impartial?