HC Deb 20 May 1968 vol 765 c6
4. Mr. Archer

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs when he intends to accede to the United Nations Protocol on the Status of Refugees.

Mr. Mulley

Shortly, we hope, and in any event before the end of Human Rights Year.

Mr. Archer

I thank my right hon. Friend for that reply, but would he accept that merely sending food to refugee camps touches only the fringe of the problem; and that every month during which these people remain in the camps is a very wretched month out of their lives?

Mr. Mulley

I agree with my hon. Friend's sentiments, but the delay in the implementation of the Convention does not affect that issue. It extends the date during which these people would be classified as refugees. But we hope very soon to sign. The delay on our part has been due to the need to consult all the dependent territories which would be covered as the result of our signature.