HC Deb 13 May 1953 vol 515 cc1240-1
32. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many countries, apart from Denmark, have now notified the United Nations Convention relating to the status of refugees.

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

Apart from Denmark, Norway is the only country which has ratified the Convention so far.

Mr. Sorensen

Could the hon. Gentleman say what steps are being taken by our own Government to encourage the ratification and to do so by setting an example ourselves, in view of the long time that has elapsed since the decision to ratify and actual ratification?

Mr. Nutting

I quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that a considerable time has elapsed, and I will certainly look into this matter again. We are consulting with the Governments of the overseas territories for whose international relations we are responsible to make quite sure that we can ratify subject to the minimum amount of reservations in accordance with Article 42 of the Convention. We should like to ratify, but we want to do so with the minimum of reservations.

34. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he will propose to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees that he should make inquiries in 'respect of the 8, 000-10, 000 European refugees who settled in China; and make representations to the Chinese People's Republic with a view to their assistance or transference to other countries.

Mr. Nutting

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees already has full information about the European refugees in China, and is doing all he can to help them. I have discussed personally with the High Commissioner the question of resettling these refugees, and he is considering various possibilities.

Mr. Sorensen

Can we have an assurance that everything is being done helpfully to deal with these most unfortunate people?

Mr. Nutting

Yes, Sir; I can certainly give that assurance. I can also say that we have made a little progress in this matter, but I do not want to raise too many hopes, for fear that we may not be able to bring them to fruition.