HC Deb 11 February 1953 vol 511 cc383-4
2. Major Beamish

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to make a statement on the present and future relations with the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration and with the President's Escapee Programme, operated by the United States' State Department and administered by the Mutual Security Administrator in Europe; and why it has not been possible to co-ordinate British and United States efforts towards the solution of the refugee and surplus population problem in Europe.

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

As regards the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration, I would refer to my reply to the right hon. Member for Derby, South (Mr. Noel-Baker) on 17th December, 1952.

The President's Escapee Programme is not an international programme, but the British authorities in Western Germany give all possible assistance to its representatives. Her Majesty's Government and the United States Government are both members of the Advisory Committee to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Major Beamish

Is my hon. Friend aware that the way in which this refugee problem is handled is bound to have an important effect on the future of the occupied countries; that since I.R.O. came to an end there has been, without any doubt at all, a lot of overlapping between various bodies set up by the free countries, resulting in loss of time, loss of effort and loss of money; and can I appeal to him to look at this question again to see whether it is not possible to avoid this overlapping?

Mr. Nutting

I am looking at this question with that very idea in view, but I should prefer to have a little more time, if I may, to conduct an investigation into the matter before answering my hon. and gallant Friend.

Mr. Younger

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there are very many people who think it is wrong that Her Majesty's Government should not be members of the Inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration, which is, if not the main one, one of the organisations upon which a new system of dealing with refugees, particularly in Germany, should be dealt with?

Mr. Nutting

The difficulty is that we cannot afford the cost of this organisation at the present time, but that is, of course, without prejudice to the future, and it will be kept under consideration.

Lady Tweedsmuir

Can my hon. Friend say what would be the cost involved? Is he not aware that when it was discussed in this House last year he said, I think, that it involves only about £70,000; and would it not be a great gesture to European unity if we belonged to this organisation, as we are the only country in Europe not a member?

Mr. Nutting

I have said that the answer which I gave to the right hon. Member for Derby, South was without prejudice to the future. I should prefer not to go any further at this stage.