HC Deb 17 December 1963 vol 686 cc187-8W
Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if he has considered Recommendation 376 on the tasks of the Assembly of the Council of Europe in the present European situation, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 24th September 1963; and what action Her Majesty's Government has taken, or intends taking, with regard to it.

Mr. P. Thomas

Her Majesty's Government are in sympathy with the general aim of this Recommendation, which is to promote the effectiveness of the Council of Europe's work. The Recommendation was taken into account by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies in Strasbourg in their preparation of the agenda for the meeting of the Committee of Ministers held in Paris on 13th and 14th December. As a result of the Ministers' discussions, proposals similar in purpose to the main proposals embodied in the Recommendation are to be considered by Ministers' Deputies before the next meeting of the Committee of Ministers.

Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government in regard to Opinion No. 38 on the Budget of the Council of Europe for 1964, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 10th May, 1963, and in particular on the need to establish a pensions scheme for the staff of the Secretary-General.

Mr. P. Thomas

Part 1 of this Opinion, together with the proposal in sub-paragraph l(a) of Part 2, was taken into account by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies when they approved the Council of Europe Budget for 1964 in November. The Committee has not yet reached a decision on the other points raised in the Opinion. Her Majesty's Government have agreed in principle to the setting up of a pensions scheme for the staff of the Secretariat-General. The Secretary-General has circulated a memorandum describing possible schemes. Her Majesty's Government are examining these and have asked the Secretariat for further information.

Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation 373 on The Hague Convention on the Conflict of Laws relating to the Form of Testamentary Dispositions which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20th September, 1963; and what action Her Majesty's Government has taken or contemplates taking in regard to it.

Mr. P. Thomas

Her Majesty's Government support this Recommendation of the Consultative Assembly. They ratified the Convention in question on 6th November, 1963.

Mr. C. Johnson

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Opinion No. 40 on teaching and research on human rights which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 20th September, 1963; and what action Her Majesty's Government has taken or contemplates taking in regard to that Opinion.

Mr. P. Thomas

Opinion No. 40 is still under consideration by the Committee of Ministers' Deputies of the Council of Europe. Her Majesty's Government support the programme for teaching and research proposed by the Committee of Experts on Human Rights and endorsed in Opinion No. 40. They share the view of the Committee that the proposed programme should be carried out initially by the existing Directorate of Human Rights in the Council's Secretariat, and that possible organisational changes should be considered later when preliminary studies have been completed.