§ 11 and 12. Mr. Sorensenasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (1) if it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to ratify the Geneva Convention relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war;
(2) why three Conventions respectively, for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded and sick in Armed Forces in the field, for the amelioration of the condition of the wounded, sick and shipwrecked members of Armed Forces at sea, and also relative to the treatment of prisoners of war, have not been ratified by Her Majesty's Government.
§ Mr. NuttingHer Majesty's Government intend that the United Kingdom shall ratify all of the four 1949 Geneva Conventions for the Protection of War Victims. However, as stated in reply to the hon. Member for West Ham, South (Mr. Elwyn Jones) on 25th June, legislation will first be required and I cannot say when it will be possible to introduce it.
§ Mr. SorensenDo I take it that it is the intention of Her Majesty's Government to introduce legislation in the near future or within a year?
§ Mr. NuttingIt is certainly the intention to introduce legislation but, as the hon. Gentleman knows, I am not responsible for the time-table of the introduction of legislation.