HC Deb 31 January 1966 vol 723 cc156-7W
55. Mrs. McKay

asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs if the consultations with territorial Governments as to their progress in removing obstacles to the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Political Rights of Women have now been completed; if he will make a statement; and if Her Majesty's Government will now reply.

2. Mr. George Thomson

The consultations with territorial Governments are now complete. Below is a list showing which of the dependent territories could now probably comply with the obligations imposed by the Convention, which still have difficulties with certain Articles and, in the latter case, the nature of those difficulties. Many of the territories that have difficulties are reviewing the position or are willing to do so and this, too, is indicated in the list. In brief, with the exception of Aden and Southern Arabia which can comply with none of the three main provisions, it is Article III which creates problems. In connexion with this Article at least four territories have continuing difficulties with jury service, at least two with equal pay in the Civil Service, and at least four with problems regarding regulations about marriage in the Civil Service.

SUMMARY OF POSITION IN DEPENDENT TERRITORIES REGARDING THE U.N. CONVENTION ON THE POLITICAL RIGHTS OF WOMEN

Dependent territories which could comply with the obligations imposed by the Convention. British Guiana, British Honduras, British Solomon Islands Protectorate, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Gilbert and Ellice Islands, St. Kitts, Turks and Caicos Islands, Virgin Islands.

Dependent territories which could not at present comply with the obligations imposed by Convention. Aden and South Arabia are unable to comply with Articles I, II and III.

ARTICLE III
Jury Service Civil Service Equal Pay Civil Service Marriage Bar
Bahamas (R) Basutoland (R) Antigua
Barbados Bechuanaland (R) Falkland Islands (R)
Bermuda (R)
Brunei (R) Gibraltar (R) Fiji
Grenada Hong Kong (R) Grenada
Isle of Man Seychelles Hong Kong (R)
Mauritius (R) Swaziland St. Lucia (R)
Montserrat (R) St. Vincent
St. Helena (R)
Tonga

(R) indicates territory is reviewing position, or is willing to do so.

3. It has not been possible to complete consultation with Rhodesia in present circumstances.