HC Deb 18 February 1948 vol 447 cc1155-6
44. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he can now state whether His Majesty's Government feel able to make a grant to the International Children's Emergency Fund.

64. Mr. Somerville Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what countries have agreed to subscribe to the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund and what countries have refused; and whether he can yet announce a decision to make a token payment to this fund to be spent on goods and services provided by this country.

Mr. Bevin

I would refer my hon. Friends to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for the English Universities (Mr. K. Lindsay) on 11th February last, to which I have at present nothing to add. With regard to the first part of the Question put down by my hon. Friend the Member for Barking (Mr. Hastings) the following countries have contributed or have pledged contributions to the International Children's Emergency Fund: the United States, Canada, Australia, Uruguay, France, New Zealand, Czechoslovakia, Switzerland, Newfoundland, Norway, Denmark, Iceland, Peru, Dominican Republic, Luxembourg, Poland. I have no information as to which countries have actually refused to contribute.

Mr. Sorensen

Is the Minister aware that in fact his previous answer and his present answer stated or inferred that a decision had not yet been reached? May I ask whether some indication has been given of when a decision is likely to be reached?

Mr. Bevin

I am still in discussion with the Treasury, but I have not yet got a decision.

Mr. Hastings

Has my right hon. Friend considered what the effect would be of even a small token contribution from this country?

Mr. Bevin

I have not put my request quite as low as a token.