coming from Germany of 10 February 1938 and the Additional Protocol to that Convention of 14 September 1939, to take the necessary steps as soon as possible to become parties thereto; 2. To urge States Members to refrain from taking any discriminatory measures affecting de jure or de facto stateless persons in territories under their jurisdiction, and to improve the conditions of such persons by providing them, through appropriate legislative or administrative action, with a legal status inspired by the principles underlying the agreements enumerated in item 1 above; 3. To request the IRO, in accordance with those provisions in its Constitution relating to the political and legal protection of refugees, to continue to use its good offices and to take whatever administrative measures are required to secure the implementation of items I and 2 above. The Secretary-General further recommends the Economic and Social Council: 4. A. To recognize the necessity of a convention, based on the agreements now in force, determining the legal status of stateless persons as such, but excluding war criminals and such other categories of persons as are specified in the convention. B. To this end, to instruct either the Secretary-General in consultation with the Director-General of the IRO and the administrative heads of the other specialized agencies concerned, or an ad hoc Committee appointed by the Council, to prepare a draft convention including provisions concerning: (a) The following subjects: 1. Personal status; 2. Rights formerly acquired; 3. Property rights; 4. The exercise of trades and professions; 5. Education; 6. Relief; 7. Social security; 8. The right to appear before the courts as plaintiff or defendant; 9. Exemption from reciprocity; 10. Taxation; 11. Military service; (b) A travel document taking the place of a passport; (c) The procurement of documents enabling stateless persons to perform various acts of civil and administrative life; 5. To recognize the necessity of providing at an appropriate time permanent international machinery for ensuring the protection of stateless persons. 1.3 Ad Hoc Committee on Statelessness and Related Problems After considering the Study, ECOSOC adopted resolution 248 (IX) B of August 1949 providing for the appointment of an ad hoc Committee consisting of representatives of thirteen Governments. The Committee’s task was to: (a) Consider the desirability of preparing a revised and consolidated convention relating to the international status of refugees and stateless persons and, if they consider such a course desirable, draft the text of such a convention; (b) Consider means of eliminating the problem of statelessness, including the desirability of requesting the International Law Commission to prepare a study and make recommendations on this subject; (c) Make any other suggestions they deem suitable for the solution of these problems, taking into consideration the recommendations of the Secretary-General [in the Study of Statelessness.] 8