§ Mr. Whitakerasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether he will now publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT a list based on information from international organisations or elsewhere, of which countries still permit slavery; what representations he has made to their governments about this; and whether he will support the United Nations proposal for a committee to achieve the elimination of slavery.
§ Mr. George ThomsonA full account of the position is set out in a report pubblished last year by a United Nations Special Rapporteur, which is in the Library of the House. No representations have been made to other Governments but Her Majesty's Government supported a proposal by the Special Rapporteur to set up a Committee of Experts to advise the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations on slavery problems. Unfortunately this proposal did not attract sufficient support in the Economic and Social Council to be adopted and the question was referred to the United Nations Human Rights Commission for further consideration. It is now with that body.