HC Deb 29 January 1947 vol 432 cc208-9W
102. Mr. Sorensen

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the number of unmarried mothers in the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Poland and other countries. the fathers of whose children were foreign soldiers, any attempt is likely to be made by international agreement or otherwise to enable each of these women to secure financial assistance from the father of her children; and whether, in view of the need of relieving distress and implementing the moral responsibility of paternity, His Majesty's Government will encourage multilateral action by unilateral example.

Mr. Mayhew

His Majesty's Government share my hon. Friend's desire that means should be devised to secure to women in this situation financial assistance from the fathers of their children. His Majesty's Government are studying the question whether international agreements, bilateral or multilateral, would be a suitable method of dealing with this matter. There are a number of difficulties to be overcome and His Majesty's Government cannot at the moment express any opinion on this point.