HC Deb 18 July 1962 vol 663 cc419-20
6. Mr. Ridley

asked the Lord Privy Seal how many members of the United Nations have signed the 1956 Supplementary Convention for the Abolition of Slavery; and how many of these are members of the Afro-Asian group.

Mr. P. Thomas

Forty members of the United Nations have signed the 1956 Supplementary Convention for the Abolition of Slavery. Of these, 14 are African or Asian. I am glad to say that four countries, of which two are African and one is Asian, have signed the Convention since I answered a Question by my hon. Friend the Member for Chigwell (Mr. Biggs-Davison) on 11th April.

Mr. Ridley

Is not this a rather sorry state of affairs, and is it not an example of the double standard in these matters referred to by my noble Friend the Foreign Secretary? Will my hon. Friend do all he can to ensure that there is a unanimous signing of this Convention?

Mr. Thomas

I agree that disappointingly few States have signed this Convention. I can certainly promise my hon. Friend that we will continue to take the initiative, as we have for many years, in urging countries to sign it.

Sir G. Nicholson

Is it not incredible that in the year of grace 1962 slavery should be so prevalent in parts of the world? Cannot the Government take still stronger step to get this Convention signed and implemented? I find it difficult to believe that people accept this position calmly.

Mr. Thomas

I agree with my hon. Friend that it is incredible that slavery should exist, but there seems to be plenty of evidence that it does. On the question of a British initiative, as my hon. Friend knows, the United Kingdom delegation to the Economic and Social Council has tabled a resolution urging countries to sign this Convention.