HC Deb 12 July 1965 vol 716 cc16-7W
Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 295 on the situation of the Jewish community in the Soviet Union, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

Mr. Padley

The Resolution has been studied by Her Majesty's Government with interest and sympathy. We do not, however, think that official intervention by Her Majesty's Government would assist the achievement of the objects which the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe has in mind.

Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Resolution No. 294 on the general policy of the Council of Europe, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

Mr. Padley

The suggestions contained in this Resolution are in general accord with the policies already being pursued by Her Majesty's Government.

Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 424 on European and Atlantic economic problems, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 6th May, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

Mr. Padley

The proposals in the Recommendation are in line with Her Majesty's Government's present policy, and we are already doing what we can to give effect to them.

Mr. Webster

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs what is the policy of Her Majesty's Government with regard to Recommendation No. 415 on statutory limitation as applicable to crimes against humanity, which was adopted by the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe on 28th January, 1965; and what action the Government has taken or will take on it.

Mr. Padley

Since in the law of the United Kingdom there is no statutory limitation or other time ban affecting criminal cases of the type mentioned in this Recommendation, Her Majesty's Government are not concerned with the first part of Recommendation 415.

Her Majesty's Government are awaiting the results of further discussion in the Council of Europe on the second part of the Recommendation, which calls for a European Convention to ensure that crimes against humanity are not subject to statutory limitation.