§ 78. Mr. Reevesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the fact that 41 nations have now signed the United Nations Genocide Convention, he will give instructions for the convention to be signed on behalf of Her Majesty's Government; and if he is aware that this convention came into force on 14th October, 1950, with ratification by 20 nations, and the continued 46W absence of the signature of Her Majesty's Government may cause misunderstanding of the motives of this country.
§ Mr. NuttingI regret that I am still not yet in a position to make a statement about accession to this Convention which, as the hon. Member is aware, would require legislation by Her Majesty's Government.
On the second part of the Question, however, I am satisfied that our position has been adequately explained in the United Nations and that other countries are well aware of the intense repugnance which we in this country feel towards the crime of genocide.
On a point of fact, perhaps I might add that the Convention came into force on 12th January, 1951.