HC Deb 30 January 1961 vol 633 c596
45. Mr. Lipton

asked the Lord Privy Seal what further action he will take to secure the effective recognition of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the United Nations in 1948.

Mr. Ormsby Gore

The General Assembly of the United Nations is engaged upon the drafting of International Covenants on Human Rights which will embody the principles of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. As the honourable Gentleman will be aware, the Universal Declaration was proclaimed as a common standard of achievement and has no legally binding force.

Mr. Lipton

That sounds all very well, but is it not utterly deplorable that, in direct contravention of the letter and the spirit of this Declaration, Her Majesty's Government should kow-tow to racialism at the expense of British sailors who are good enough for the Royal Navy but not good enough for shore leave with their shipmates in South African ports? Will the Minister at least send a copy of the Declaration to his right hon. Friend the First Lord of the Admiralty?

Mr. Ormsby Gore

As the hon. Gentleman has indicated, the last part of his supplementary question has nothing whatever to do with me.