§ 49. Mrs. Emmetasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to what extent the Convention on the Nationality of Married Women recently approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations applies to overseas territories.
§ The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Commander Allan Noble)On United Kingdom initiative, taken in accordance with our settled policy, the General Assembly accepted a Territorial Application Article based on the principle of consultation with, and the consent of, the overseas territories concerned. That enabled us to sign the Convention, and the necessary consultations will now follow. I should like to take this opportunity of saying how grateful we are to Mrs. Walter Elliot for the part she played as a United Kingdom delegate.
§ Mrs. EmmetWhile thanking my right hon. and gallant Friend for his reply, which will give great pleasure to the women's organisations of this country, may I ask him to suggest to his right hon. Friend that, if these consultations were continued on the same lines with the overseas territories, my right hon. Friend might find himself in the position in which he might also be able to authorise the signing of the Convention on the Political Rights of Women, and if not, why not?
§ Commander NobleThat is a very different question. The hon. Lady will be aware that the absence of a Territorial Application Article is the main obstacle to signature by Her Majesty's Government. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Colonies has authorised me to say that he has asked the Colonial Governments to state their position in relation to this Convention. We could not adhere to it unless the replies were unanimously in favour. Clearly, therefore, we must await the outcome of these consultations.