HC Deb 25 October 1954 vol 531 c1595
45. Sir R. Acland

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the British delegate to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations voted when a resolution supporting a $12 million programme sponsored by the High Commissioner for Refugees for the rehabilitation of refugees was adopted.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. R. H. Turton)

For the reasons explained by my hon. Friend the present Under-Secretary for Commonwealth Relations in the reply given on 28th July to the hon. Member for Jarrow (Mr. Fernyhough), the United Kingdom delegation abstained on this resolution.

Sir R. Acland

Does the Minister recall the very thoughtful article in the "Manchester Guardian" of 20th August on this subject? Now that we are very much better off and can do all sorts of things, like waiving holiday allowances, could not the Government change their attitude on this?

Mr. Turton

The hon. Baronet is probably not aware that the High Commissioner's programme is now being considered by the Third Committee of the General Assembly, which has decided to amalgamate the proposed 12 million dollar fund with the existing United Nations Refugee Emergency Fund, subject to control by an inter-governmental committee for approved projects, and the United Kingdom delegation voted for that resolution.