HC Deb 22 June 1936 vol 313 cc1429-30W
Lieut.-Commander FLETCHER

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the information given to the Governing Body of the Nansen Office regarding the active participation of other Governments in the settlement of Russian, Armenian and Saarland refugees and of the fact that His Majesty's Government has not participated in this work, he will consider responding to the appeal of the chairman of the Governing Body for a sum of 70,000 Swiss francs to complete the settlement of Armenian refugees in Syria?

The PRIME MINISTER

So far as I am aware, no appeal of the nature referred to has been addressed to His Majesty's Government in the United Kingdom by the Governing Body of the Nansen Office.

Lieut.-Commander FLETCHER

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that, at a recent meeting of the Governing Body of the Nansen International Office, it was pointed out that funds were urgently required by the office and that funds arising from the sale of Nansen stamps and surcharged stamps in Norway and France were inadequate for the work in hand, he will consider the advisability of making a financial grant or will promote the sale of a surcharged stamp for the benefit of the office?

The PRIME MINISTER

His Majesty's Government already make, through the budget of the League of Nations, a contribution to the expenses of the Nansen International Office, and they would not feel able to invite Parliament to make any separate or additional financial grant for this purpose. As regards the issue of a surcharged stamp, it is the settled practice of the competent authorities of His Majesty's Government not to issue special stamps in furtherance of charitable and other objects. The request of the Governing Body of the Nansen International Office has been sympathetically considered, but it has not been found possible to depart from the customary practice in this matter, more especially as the cost involved in manufacturing and distributing the stamps would be out of all proportion to the revenue likely to accrue to the International Office.