HC Deb 08 December 1954 vol 535 cc937-8
13. Mr. Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the United Kingdom having voted at the General Assembly for the resolution authorising the High Commissioner for Refugees to undertake a programme designed to achieve permanent solutions to refugee problems within the period of his mandate, what constructive proposals the United Kingdom representative on the High Commissioner's Advisory Committee will be instructed to make in order to develop such a programme.

Mr. Turton

The Advisory Committee is at present in session at Geneva. As my right hon. Friend the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, the right hon. Member for Melton (Mr. Nutting) explained to the hon. Member on 2nd June, it is not the practice of Her Majesty's Government to divulge instructions given to representatives on international organisations in advance of their being acted upon.

Mr. Janner

Is the hon. Gentleman prepared to suggest that the policy of the Advisory Committee shall include longterm loans, and will he press for the long-term policy suggested in the Question?

Mr. Turton

While the Committee is in session, it would be unwise for me to go into details on matters which it is at present discussing. I dealt with the financial side in my reply to the hon. Member for Gravesend (Sir R. Acland), on 8th November.