HC Deb 03 July 1969 vol 786 cc635-6
Q1. Mr. Pavitt

asked the Prime Minister if he will pay an official visit to the headquarters of the International Labour Office, Geneva, to mark this organisation's 50th anniversary.

The Prime Minister (Mr. Harold Wilson)

My right hon. Friend the Minister without Portfolio addressed the 50th anniversary conference on 19th June and conveyed a message of congratulation sent by me on behalf of Her Majesty's Government, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. Together with my right hon. Friends the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary and the First Secretary of State, I shall be meeting the Director General of the International Labour Office when he visits this country next month, and a national ceremony is being held at Lancaster House on 29th October, the actual anniversary of the first meeting of the International Labour Conference in 1919.

Mr. Pavitt

While I welcome very much the action taken by my right hon. Friend, in view of the fact that this organisation was founded by the great Socialist, Albert Thomas, and that my right hon. Friend himself is one of the few Socialist Prime Ministers in Europe—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—will he consider making a special effort during the recess to make just a short visit to Geneva to pay on behalf of these benches our tribute to the I.L.O. for its tremendous work?

The Prime Minister

I am not sure that a visit is necessary. It was the British delegation to the Peace Conference at Versailles 50 years ago which presented the proposals that led to the estabishment of I.L.O. As for the other part of the Question, I shall have the opportunity tomorrow of discussing this matter with the Swedish Prime Minister—a Socialist Prime Minister, who has proved that the first 34 years of Socialist Government are the most difficult.

Mr. Hugh Fraser

Why is the Prime Minister so nervous about visiting Geneva? Is he afraid of meeting the International Red Cross?

The Prime Minister

No, Sir. My hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs visited Geneva yesterday on a mission to try to ensure that relief routes are available to all areas of Nigeria. If the right hon. Gentleman would use his influence to keep those relief routes open he would not have anything to complain about.