Intergovermental Committee for European Migration

The Council of the Intergovernmental Committee for European Migration (ICEM) held its third session in Geneva from October 17 to 22, 1956; prior to the session, the nine-member Executive Committee held a private session beginning on October 6, at which special reports from the ICEM Director, Harold H. Tittmann were considered, and recommendations on a revised budget for 1955 as well as on proposed budgets for 1956 and 1957 were formulated. The focal point of debate at the Council's session was the need to revise ICEM's system of financing. In an opening address, Director Tittmann told the Council that ICEM-assisted movements from Europe during 1955 would total approximately 118,000, instead of the 142,000 estimated at the beginning of the year. The original budget of $46.5 million had been reduced to $42.7 million, and the deficit of $2.5 million had been greatly reduced; however, a deficit for 1955 of more than $200,000 still remained, and he appealed to member countries who had not yet done so to make a contribution towards covering that deficit. In proposing a target for 1956 of 125,900 migrants, Director Tittmann stressed the fact that ICEM faced a $2.7 million deficit, urged member governments to make contributions sufficient to cover the program, and asked them to place the entire financing system of ICEM on a sounder basis. Director Tittmann further reported that it would be necessary for ICEM to reduce its grants for 1956 to voluntary agencies working in the field of migration; per capita grants would be diminished from $80 in 1955 to $35 for migrants to North America and $75 permigrant for other destinations in 1956, he stated.