HC Deb 01 December 1952 vol 508 cc1075-7
4. Mr. Swingler

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs which member States have not yet ratified the Convention on Immunities for Employees of the United Nations organisation.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Anthony Nutting)

Member States of the United Nations are parties to the General Convention on Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations by accession only, not by ratification.

As the list of the member States of the United Nations which have not yet acceded is rather long, I am circulating it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Swingler

Is it not a very unsatisfactory situation and will not the hon. Gentleman make some representation about it? When the legal status of United Nations employees is in doubt, is it not most unsatisfactory that the Parliament of the State in which the United Nations is located has not yet acceded to the Convention? Will Her Majesty's Government do something about the matter?

Mr. Nutting

The first step in this matter rests with the Secretary-General of the United Nations. If he is dissatisfied with the number of States that have acceded to this Convention it is for him to make representations on the matter.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is it not a fact that the United States Government are bound by an interim Convention which they signed with the United Nations and which deals with the immunities of the Secretariat? Is it not, nevertheless, very unsatisfactory that a large number of members have not acceded to this Convention and will Her Majesty's Government try to do something about it?

Mr. Nutting

It is unsatisfactory that there is a large number of members who have not acceded. In reply to the first part of the right hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, I understand that there is a general agreement between the United States Government and the Secretary-General.

Following is the list: