HC Deb 21 June 1965 vol 714 cc1163-4
1. Mr. W. T. Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now announce the result of his consideration of the question of United Kingdom accession to the Genocide Convention.

The Minister of State for Foreign Affairs (Mr. George Thomson)

The consideration of this question has not yet been completed. I have, therefore, nothing to add at this time to the Answer I gave to my hon. Friend on 1st March.

Mr. Williams

Why does the Minister stop at 1st March when this matter has been before this and former Governments for the last 14 years? Are Her Majesty's Government content to stay in the company of the more unattractive members of the United Nations? Is it not time that something was done about this matter?

Mr. Thomson

I am aware that this matter has been the subject of Questions in the House for the last 14 years, as my hon. and learned Friend said. However, the present Government have had the responsibility of facing this problem only in recent months. We are giving the matter very careful consideration indeed, but complex issues are involved and they need consultation.

Mr. Peter Thomas

Does the Minister of State agree that one of the most complex issues is that of political asylum, and has he anything to say about that?

Mr. Thomson

It is one of the difficulties. Successive Governments have always made it clear that they have freely accepted the spirit of the Convention and have supported its objects. In 1962, for example, the complex difficulties were laid very fully before the House. These difficulties are now being re-examined and we will report back to the House as soon as possible.

Sir B. Janner

Would my hon. Friend give an assurance that he will give an answer on this issue very shortly? Is he not aware that the prevailing attitude of the Government has been the attitude of Governments in Britain for very many years and that many people, not only in this country but in other Commonwealth countries some of which have accepted the Convention, cannot understand why we should be standing aside on this matter? Will my hon. Friend give it his immediate attention?

Mr. Thomson

I made it clear that this country has always accepted the spirit of the Convention. Perhaps we are rather more scrupulous than are some in implementing conventions where there are legislative difficulties. One difficulty in fully acceding to the Convention is that to do so would probably imply legislation, and this is one of the matters which is now being actively studied.