§ Mr. Priceasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he can make a statement on the international conference which has just met at Geneva to draw up an international convention on the status of refugees?
§ The Prime MinisterYes, Sir. The conference met to consider the status of refugees coming from Germany, and, after discussion, adopted a convention which was based on the 1933 convention regarding refugees from Russia and Turkey, and on the 1936 provisional arrangement regarding refugees coming from Germany. The convention was signed on behalf of His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom and six other Governments, with certain reservations. It will come into force when ratified by two countries.
§ Lieut.-Commander Fletcherasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, in view of the urgent need for an agreement on international assistance for 565W refugees, what steps will be taken before the next League of Nations Assembly to secure the co-operation of all nations concerned to this end?
§ The Prime MinisterFor the previous history of this question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer returned to him by my Noble Friend, the late Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on 15th November last. The hon. and gallant Member will recall that this matter was referred by the Assembly of the League of Nations to the Council, which set up a Committee of Three of its members (the United Kingdom, France and Bolivia) to consider the question. This Committee met in Paris on 14th February, and will probably hold another meeting before the May session of the Council. It is empowered by the Council to enter into consultation with Governments.