as an assembly member with extensive overseas experience it was not surprising that hettier de boislambert became a member of its foreign affairs standing commission. from 1954 he was also a member of the standing commission for overseas territories (as colonies were now designated). he was accordingly involved in several overseas missions. he was tasked with drawing up the general report of the latter commission, following their enquiry into the application in overseas territories of french social legislation and the french labour code. he was also able to undertake a large number of study visits to africa on behalf of the national assembly which deepened his already profound knowledge of the continent. it was also consistent with his background and interests that he took a particular interest in the french union, a structure intended to replace the old french colonial system which was developed during the early 1950s. in 1954 he accepted nomination to join a commission to study questions involving the ceca (""european coal and steel community"").