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The existence of the Palestine Commission, established by the Assembly in November, 1947, was terminated in June, 1948, following the appointment of a Mediator. The Conciliation Commission for Palestine was established in December 1948. (b) Security Council The Security Council has primary responsibility for the maintenance of international peace and security, and is in continuous session. It has five permanent members—China, France, Soviet Union, United Kingdom, and United States —the remaining. six members being elected for two-year terms. At its third session the Assembly elected Cuba, Norway, and Egypt to replace Colombia, Belgium, and Syria from the beginning of 1949. Argentina, Canada, and Ukraine will retire at the end of 1949. The Council has two standing Committees of the whole, one on rules of procedure and the other on the admission of new members. The Military Staff Committee consists of the Chiefs of Staff (or their representatives) of the permanent members. The Atomic Energy Commission was established by the General Assembly, but reports to and is directed by the Council. Its membership is the same as that of the Council, except that Canada is a permanent member. The Commission for Conventional Armaments is a subsidiary organ of the Council with the same membership. The following ad hoc subsidiary organs of the Council functioned during the period reviewed : Committee of Good Offices (Indonesia). Commission of Mediation (India-Pakistan Dispute). Truce Commission (Palestine). (c) Economic and Social Council * Under the direction of the Assembly, the Economic and Social Council has the responsibility for implementing the Charter provisions relating to economic and social progress, cultural and educational co-operation, and human rights. The eighteen members of the Council are elected for three-year terms. Byelorussia, Lebanon, New Zealand, Turkey, United States, and Venezuela are due to retire at the end of 1949; Australia, Brazil, Denmark, Poland, Soviet Union, and United Kingdom at the end of 1950. At the third session of the Assembly, Chile, China, France, and Peru were re-elected for a further term (ending 31 December, 1951), and Belgium and India were elected in place of Canada and the Netherlands. The Council normally meets twice a year, and may hold special sessions.

* New Zealand a member.