§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received objecting to the ratification by the United Kingdom of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
§ Mr. RentonWe have received 13 such representations this year from private individuals, Members of Parliament and members of interested organisations.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what amendments he would consider essential to the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women before it would be ratified by the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. RentonStates cannot seek amendments to the convention before ratifying it, but they may enter reservations and make interpretative declarations upon ratification.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will list in the Official Report those organisations with which his Department has discussed the possible ratification of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women.
§ Mr. RentonThe Foreign and Commonwealth Office has received, and taken into account, representations from a wide range of non-governmental organisations, including, during the last year, the National Council of Women of Great Britain, the British Federation of University Women, Change, the Responsible Society and the Family and Child Protection Group.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from religious organisations concerning those aspects of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women which would affect the conduct of such organisations.
§ Mr. RentonWe have not received representations from religious organisations. We have informed individuals who have inquired about this aspect that the reservations we would enter upon ratification would cover the affairs of religous ministries.
§ Mr. Nicholas Wintertonasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what information he has concerning the effects upon domestic legislation of 529W ratification of the United Nations convention on the elimination of all forms of discrimination against women in those English-speaking nations which have already ratified it.
§ Mr. RentonThe Austrialian Government introduced the Sex Discrimination Act following ratification of the convention. One of the Act's stated objects is to give effect to certain provisions of the convention. The Canadian Government have recently been reviewing their legislation on equality. The convention's provisions have been borne in mind during this process.