HC Deb 28 July 1954 vol 531 c466
13. Mr. Fernyhough

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs why Her Majesty's Government refused to support the plan recently submitted to the United Nations Economic and Social Council by Dr. van Heuven Goedhart, the High Commissioner for Refugees.

Mr. Dodds-Parker

Because Dr. Goedhart's proposal assumes international responsibility for the economic integration of refugees. This, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, is essentially a matter for the Governments of their country of residence.

Mr. Fernyhough

Will not Her Majesty's Government reconsider this matter? Does not the Minister realise that this is one of the most human problems left as a result of the recent war, and does he not feel that there is a moral obligation to these people?

Mr. Dodds-Parker

This country has been second only to the United States in helping refugees since the war. This is not a new policy. It dates from the handing over of the care-and-maintenance responsibility of the Refugee Organisation in 1950 to the Governments of the countries responsible.