§ 29. Mr. Kenneth Lindsayasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has a statement to make on the work of the Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee Organisation; and what are the present prospects of a permanent body being established before 1st June.
§ Mr. MayhewThe Preparatory Commission of the International Refugee 2058 Organisation met at Geneva on 11th February. It was attended by the representatives of eight of the 11 countries which have hitherto signed the Constitution of the International Refugee Organisation, including the U.S.A., the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands and Norway. After requesting the Secretary-General of the United Nations to address an urgent appeal to all the nations which have not yet signed the Constitution to do so as soon as possible, it was also able to arrange with the Secretary-General for an advance from the Working Capital Fund of the United Nations to enable it to carry on its work. It appointed an experienced and highly qualified United States citizen—Mr. Arthur Altmeyer, who is United States Commissioner for Social Security and United States Representative on the Social Commission of the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations—to be its Executive Secretary, and drew up a large number of detailed directives and instructions to enable him to carry out his work with the least possible delay. The Commission adjourned on 21st February, and arranged to meet again in Geneva on 15th April.
As regards the second part of the Question, the International Refugee Organisation will, under its Constitution, come into being when its Constitution has been signed and "accepted" by 15 or more countries whose aggregate contributions must amount to not less than 75 per cent. of the funds required. The present position is that the Constitution has been signed by 11 countries, whose aggregate contributions amount to just over 69 per cent. of the funds required. At least four more signatures, from countries whose aggregate contributions must amount to not less than 6 per cent. of the total funds, are therefore, still needed, and, in the case of countries such as the United States whose constitutional procedure requires formal "acceptance" of the engagements involved, such acceptance will also be necessary. On the other hand, 30 countries voted for the Constitution when it was adopted by the General Assembly of the United Nations on 15th December last, and it therefore seems reasonable to hope that, from among the 19 countries which have not yet signed, the necessary number of further signatures will be forthcoming without undue delay.
§ Mr. LindsayWill the Under-Secretary say whether the Inter-Governmental Committee on Refugees is to continue the grant of £800,000 a year?
§ Mr. MayhewThat is rather a different question. There will have to be an agreement between the Inter-Governmental Committee and the I.R.O. if and when it is established.