HC Deb 02 August 1957 vol 574 cc288-9W
Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the United Kingdom delegate to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations voted on 24th July on the resolution approving full political rights for women and equal pay for equal work; and how the other delegates voted.

Commander Noble

The United Kingdom representative abstained on both resolutions. The Economic and Social Council adopted the first by fifteen votes to none with two abstentions, the other abstention being that of the Netherlands representative; and the second by thirteen votes to none with four abstentions, namely the United Kingdom, Canada, Greece and the Netherlands.

Mr. Brockway

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how the United Kingdom delegate to the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations voted on 30th July on the recommendation to the General Assembly to proceed with the establishment of a Special United Nations Fund for economic development in underdeveloped countries; and how the other delegates voted.

Commander Noble

The United Kingdom representative voted against the resolution, which was taken on 31st July. So did the representatives of Canada and the United States. The other fifteen members of the Economic and Social Council voted for the resolution.

The United Kingdom representative voted in favour of an amendment which, if it had been adopted, would have urged the General Assembly to consider what further steps might facilitate agreement, including the possibility of asking Governments of States members of the United Nations to reconsider their views. The representatives of Canada, the United States of America and China also supported this amendment, which was, how ever, defeated by eleven votes against the three abstentions.

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