HC Deb 27 April 1953 vol 514 cc1742-3
26. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered the resolution forwarded to him urging that the United Nations Convention relating to the Status of Refugees should be brought into force without delay; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take in the near future in regard to the ratification of this Convention.

Mr. Selwyn Lloyd

Full consideration has been given to the resolution in question and Her Majesty's Government agree that the Convention is an excellent instrument for the establishment of the legal and social rights of refugees in those countries which have signed it.

Subject to certain reservations as provided for in Article 42, Her Majesty's Government propose to present an Instrument of Ratification to Parliament in due course. Consultations for this purpose are still in progress with the Governments of overseas territories for the conduct of whose international relations Her Majesty's Government are responsible.

Mr. Sorensen

Does that mean that ratification will depend upon other circumstances? If so, can the right hon. and learned Gentleman say what those are? Will he do all in his power to persuade other Governments to agree to ratification so that this matter can be settled at an early date?

Mr. Lloyd

I would not admit that the inference the hon. Gentleman has drawn in the first part of his supplementary question is correct. So far as the second part is concerned, we certainly think that this is a good instrument.