§ 24. Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he has now received a report of the meeting of the inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration, which took place last month in Geneva; and what action Her Majesty's Government propose to take as a result of this report.
§ The Minister of State (Mr. Selwyn Lloyd)Yes, Sir. A report of this meeting was taken into consideration by Her Majesty's Government when the question of joining the inter-Governmental Committee for European Migration was recently re-examined. For the reasons given by my hon. Friend in the Adjournment debate on 30th June, they have decided that for the present they could not undertake this commitment.
§ Major BeamishIs my right hon. and learned Friend aware that until 18 months ago the contribution made by this country to refugee problems in Europe seemed to be outstandingly generous and constructive, but that since then, in the opinion of many people, largely through failure to join this organisation, our contribution has not been so generous or constructive?
§ Mr. LloydI doubt whether the inference drawn by my hon. and gallant Friend in the latter part of his supplementary question is justified. I refer him to the words "for the present" in my answer.