HL Deb 21 February 1951 vol 170 cc445-6
VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government when the Red Cross Conventions agreed to in August, 1949, will be ratified.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS (LORD HENDERSON)

My Lords, the ratification of these Conventions by this country is being urgently considered, and a decision will be reached at the earliest possible moment.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, can my noble friend give any idea of the date by which ratification will take place?

LORD HENDERSON

My Lords, I am afraid I cannot give any more specific indication than I have given. The noble Viscount will appreciate that time is required to consider the problem of the legislation that may be necessary to give effect to the Conventions, and also the attitude to be adopted on the reservations made by certain other Powers when they signed the Conventions.

VISCOUNT STANSGATE

My Lords, my noble friend no doubt appreciates that six months have passed since we agreed to these Conventions.

LORD HENDERSON

That is so; but I can assure my noble friend that no time is being lost.